The Sharks are counting the cost of their 20-8 defeat to Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup after a further three Springboks were ruled out of action.
With Eben Etzebeth, Aphelele Fassi and Andre Esterhuizen already on the sidelines, John Plumtree’s outfit have been hit by more casualties following Saturday’s loss.
Joining that star trio on the sidelines are tighthead prop Vincent Koch, fly-half Jordan Hendrikse and wing Makazole Mapimpi, the club has announced on Monday.
28-man squad named
That means the six players will miss Sunday’s Champions Cup game against Bordeaux-Begles and possibly the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash with Cardiff.
Plumtree has named a 28-man squad for the trip to Europe that is made up of 16 forwards and 12 backs as the Sharks look to hit back from the recent loss to Toulouse.
Koch, Hendrikse and Mapimpi all failed their HIA tests after that fixture at Kings Park but, as mentioned, could join the group for the URC showdown on January 25.
“A full-strength Sharks side with the guys we currently have out would have made our game against Toulouse a bit more interesting, but I can’t discredit the players we did have out there,” Plumtree told the club’s website.
“We have six or seven key players out at the moment and they would make a massive difference to our team.”
While they are missing several Springboks, the Sharks do welcome back prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, back-row James Venter, scrum-half Grant Williams, centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Eduan Keyter for the trip north.
Sharks player ratings: Siya Kolisi ‘outplayed’ as Springboks stars struggle in Toulouse defeat
“We played a great side, you could see they’re a class outfit, applying pressure not just through their defence and set-piece but continuity play and attack, some of it was outstanding,” Plumtree added on the Toulouse game.
“We couldn’t hold on to the ball for long enough periods in the first half and couldn’t build pressure, we were a bit too loose which was disappointing for me and that’s something we talked about at half-time. When we managed to hold on to the ball for longer periods in the second half, we were able to put them under pressure, particularly in the last 25 to 30 minutes.
“It was good to see us play some good rugby then, when we hung on to the ball more and were able to apply pressure.”
He continued: “I’m proud of the effort they showed, everyone tried really hard and played their hearts out.”
Sharks touring squad
Forwards: Ruan Dreyer, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Bongi Mbonambi, Dylan Richardson, Ethan Bester, Jason Jenkins, Corne’ Rahl, Vincent Tshituka, Emmanuel Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Phepsi Buthelezi, James Venter, Jeandre Labuschagne
Backs: Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Bradley Davids, Siya Masuku, Francois Venter, Lukhanyo Am, Ethan Hooker, Yaw Penxe, Eduan Keyter, Jurenzo Julius, Hakeem Kunene, Litelihle Bester
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sharks-dealt-further-blow-as-three-key-springboks-join-eben-etzebeth-on-sidelines-after-toulouse-defeat
