Sharks coach: No pressure on Etzebeth to ‘shoot the lights out’
· Citizen
Sharks coach JP Pietersen says there will be no pressure on returning lock Eben Etzebeth to turn in a huge performance against Connacht on Friday night, though the most-capped Springbok has already lifted the squad’s standards with his presence.
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The Sharks named an understrength side to take on Connacht at 9pm in their Challenge Cup round of 16 match in Galway on the back of dozens of injuries.
Springboks André Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi, Aphelele Fassi, Ruan Dreyer and Trevor Nyakane all miss out, including many more frontline players. A total of 13 changes were made to the starting XV.
But the Durban side enjoy the return of Etzebeth from his 12-match ban for an eye-gouge in the Springbok-Wales Test in December.
‘Slotted straight in’
While Etzebeth said the red-card incident was unintentional, he was sorry for letting fans and the game itself down.
Former Sharks coach John Plumtree said Etzebeth would do some coaching for the junior and senior players, and help with “some tasks” during his lengthy ban.
Pietersen said on Thursday that the Bok lock with 141 Test caps had been training with the Sharks for the last two months.
“He’s professional and slotted straight in,” the coach said. “He did his job. He helped while he could. That’s why he’s so great.
“He’ professional and has a standard that he holds everybody accountable to. You can see the group rise to that level.”
Pietersen said the coaching staff were excited to have the lock back, especially at such a difficult time.
“He lifts the group with standards and energy. There’s no pressure on Eben to shoot the lights out, but he’s so competitive he will bring that competitive edge and the physical edge we need in the pack… his presence means a lot to the group.”
Best possible Sharks team
Pietersen expected a tough match against a strong Connacht side led by experienced Stuart Lancaster as coach.
“They are a good phase-attack team. They will put us under a lot of pressure holding the ball.”
The Sharks coach said territory kicking and lineouts would play a massive role in the wet and windy conditions expected in Galway.
With fullbacks Aphelele Fassi, Yaw Penxe, Jaco Williams and Luan Giliomee all out injured, Hakeem Kunene plays at 15 while Springbok utility back Edwill van der Merwe, who can play fullback, instead finds himself at right wing and cover for the position.
“We are a bit under the pump with injuries and this is our best possible team. We went with a full fit team, so we are not disrespecting the competition. We have come here to win.”