The expression “when it rains it pours” fits neatly with the ever-stretching injury list at the Sharks and coach John Plumtree appeared to be at the end of his tether ahead of Sunday’s vital Champions Cup clash in Bordeaux.
The exasperated coach left a hospital ward full of crocked players in Durban only for two more — James Venter and Vincent Tshituka — to break down in training in France.
The two loose forwards were meant to start against Bordeaux but instead are heading home.
“I have been in the coaching seat for a long time and I don’t recall having a run as bad as this one,” Plumtree said.
“I’m scratching for players and am using youngsters for this game that I had not planned on using in this competition.”
But it was not all doom and gloom from the big Kiwi, far from it, and he is doing his best to fire up his side for the enormous challenge of beating a red-hot Bordeaux side that is No 1 in the Top 14 and unbeaten in the Champions Cup.
“It has actually been a good week, the injuries notwithstanding. We let the guys get a few good sleep-ins after the travel. The facilities are good. The boys had a day off today and enjoyed looking around Bordeaux.”
He said the squad had embraced the enormity of the task ahead of them and would meet it head-on.
“There has been no problem picking the boys up after losing last week (to Toulouse),” Plumtree said. “It is not up to me, it is up to all of us — the management and the leaders set the scene for the week.
“We are here in France to play a top team and know it is a massive challenge but it is also a great opportunity.”
In front of the Shark is a Bordeaux side that seemingly can score tries at will.
Their backline is packed with French stars —Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey — and they are coached by brilliant former stars Frederic Michalak and Joe Rokocoko.
After playing Antoine Dupont’s star-studded Toulouse last week, it is more of the same on tomorrow but Plumtree says the Toulouse experience was a valuable one.
“We are playing a side with similar characteristics to Toulouse, especially in terms of transition rugby which is attacking from turnover ball. They are dangerous from any opportunity they get from loose ball, especially kicks.
“Any time our defence is unstructured, they will be lethal. They are full of very good players and we must scramble well on defence.
“We were happy with aspects of our defence against Toulouse,” the coach continued. “We scrambled well on their line breaks. We kept them down to 20 points when they have been averaging 50 per game. (Defence coach) Joey Mongalo has done well in that space.”
The Sharks need one point out of the match to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions Cup but that is easier said than done given the form of the home team and the fanaticism of their fans.
To get one point, the Sharks must either score four tries or finish within seven points of Bordeaux.
Plumtree, of course, wants so to win the game.
“We are aware of the one point we need. We don’t talk about these things but the reality is you have to look at the points situation and see where you can end up.
“But every time we run onto the field we have the mindset of doing everything we can to win.
“We will work hard for the win and see where we end up.”
Sharks team - 15 Yaw Penxe 14 Eduan Keyter 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Francois Venter 11 Ethan Hooker 10 Siya Masuku 9 Grant Williams 8 Siya Kolisi (capt) 7 Manu Tshituka 6 Phepsi Buthelezi 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Corne Rahl 3 Trevor Nyakane 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Ox Nche 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Jeandre Labuschagne 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Jaden Hendrikse 22 Hakeen Kunene.