John Plumtree is relying on the experience and combinations of his Springboks to gel quickly for the Sharks against the Vodacom URC champions, Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.

Having returned to Durban with a 1-2 win-loss record from their European tour, the Sharks will welcome back world champions such as Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth for their first home game of the season.

However, Plumtree is acutely aware of the challenge in integrating the fresh Bok reinforcements with a team that is both well settled and somewhat jaded.

“We arrived back from the UK on Monday. We have a fresh group of players and a group that’s not so fresh,” Plumtree told reporters on Thursday during a team announcement conference. “It’s about getting the balance right.

“Can see by the team that’s been selected it’s a strong group on paper [but] it’s about how this team comes together to play strong that really matters.”

With a short preparation period, Plumtree is relying heavily on the familiarity of his Bok contingent. “There’s four or five Springboks in that pack that have played together over the last couple of months,” the Sharks boss said.

“I’ve got guys who are tired from the tour, so I thought it was probably better for me to bank on that experience that I do have and that they come together really quickly.

“When you’re bringing a group together [like this] it’s almost like bringing a Barbarians side together for the first time – you’re relying on players who have experience to gel quickly. We’ve been working together with a team for six or seven weeks and suddenly the team changes a lot.”

TEAM: Siya, Eben back for Sharks duty

The Sharks, currently sitting 14th in the overall URC standings, face a formidable Glasgow side that beat the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria to win the URC title last season.

“Is this Sharks side going to get better and better? Yes, it will,” Plumtree said. “Is it going to be good enough to beat the championship-winning Glasgow side on the weekend? Not beating around the bush, this is a really good Glasgow team… it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.”

One of the exciting elements for this week’s game will be the halfback pairing of brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, with Jordan getting his first start at flyhalf this season.

Plumtree is keen to see how the siblings gel, elaborating, “Siya [Masuku] has had a lot of starts and there’s a bit of wear and tear with him, so it’s a nice opportunity for me to freshen up a bit.

“It was always a plan to give Jordan a run at 10 at some stage… I’m excited for the brothers. Hopefully, they can play together at the stadium like they play together in the backyard.”

Etzebeth will captain the Sharks in his first match of the 2024-25 campaign, and Plumtree is confident in the legendary lock’s leadership abilities.

“Eben did a good job for us last year when he took over from Lukhanyo [Am],” he said. “He’s a real natural in the way he runs a rugby team… he’s got a great amount of respect from everyone here at the Sharks, and he’s passionate about wanting to do well.

“You can see what it meant to him to win the Challenge Cup last year, and he was the first one to text me when we won the Currie Cup, so he’s just that type of character.”

Photo: @SharksRugby/Twitter

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