John Plumtree makes no half-baked, half-backed decisions for Sharks v Stormers
There would have been a temptation, one suspects, for John Plumtree to keep it all in the family ahead of the Sharks’ massive clash against the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow (5pm kick-off).
With a squad positively bulging with Springboks, mostly all returned from their recent tour of the UK, Plumtree could have easily selected the Hendrikse brothers – Jaden and Jordan – as his halfback pairing for the encounter at Kings Park.
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Instead, Plumtree made his selection impartially, calling on Jaden to start at No 9, with Siya Masuku alongside him at flyhalf.
Grant Williams and Jordan will cover all of the backline – thanks to their utility – from a six-two bench split.
Choosing the halfbacks seemed to be Plumtree’s toughest selection poser in a match-23 that have, in many respects, virtually picked themselves.
After all, Masuku started the new season as the incumbent No 10 in losing efforts to Connacht and Benetton, while also running on as the flyhalf in the Sharks’ win over the Dragons.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old was subsequently replaced by Jordan Hendrikse for the Sharks’ impressive home victories over Glasgow Warriors and Munster, Masuku playing a collective 13 minutes in those two matches.
Jordan, as brother Jaden, returned this week from Bok duty, where he started the most recent victory against Wales last weekend.
It would then be expected that such a team-sheet would be presented for the fixture against the Capetonians.
Instead, Plumtree believes his decision was all rather elementary.
“Masuku,” said the coach yesterday during a media briefing, “has been working really hard the last couple of weeks, and he’s in better nick than he was during the tour.
“He worked real hard on his conditioning during the last three, four weeks; and he’s been running really well. He’s been running the plan that we’ve got in place, and looking really good at training.
“So, I thought it was a good opportunity to give him a crack after losing his position to Jordan after the tour. Siya has got to keep creating that competition.”
Regarding preferring Jaden Hendrikse over his Bok teammate Williams in the starting XV at scrumhalf, an earnest Plumtree explained that form played a major role.
Said Plumtree: “Grant didn’t have a great week last week.
“He didn’t do a lot of training. He didn’t feel in the right spot to start this game, and preferred to come off the bench.
“Jaden was happy to go again. He had a good Test match against Wales and is in good form. So, it was an easy selection for me.”
Plumtree decided not to play any mind games when revealing his match-23, showing his strongest hand that should have a beleaguered Stormers quaking in their boots, even if it is ever so slightly.
The only Springboks not considered for the clash are lock Eben Etzebeth, who Plumtree described as “a bit dented” after his recent national duty, and hooker Bongi Mbonambi due to a bereavement.
Nonetheless, the Sharks welcome back prop Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, skipper Siya Kolisi, Williams, Jaden and Jordan, Makazole Mapimpi, André Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi from the recent tour.
The Stormers, too, will welcome back their Boks, but it remains to be seen who and how coach John Dobson will select his team today.
Sharks Team
15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 André Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Siya Masuku 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Gerbrandt Grobler 4 Jason Jenkins 3 Vincent Koch 2 Dylan Richardson 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Trevor Nyakane 19 Corné Rahl 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Emmanuel Tshituka 22 Grant Williams 23 Jordan Hendrikse.