Sharks head coach JP Pietersen is confident the bulk of his injured stars will return in time for their URC opening block, starting with next week's clash against the Lions.
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The Sharks have started their United Rugby Championship preparations with a sizeable casualty ward — but coach JP Pietersen is confident the cavalry is on its way.
After several injury-hit seasons in which the Sharks’ unavailable list has at times stretched into the 20s, Pietersen hopes to have most of his walking wounded back in action by the third round of the URC, the away match to the Stormers.
That would give the Durban club a significant boost ahead of their opening matches, at home against the Ospreys on September 26 before hosting Leinster on October 3.
First up, however, are two pre-season fixtures against South Western Districts in George on Friday and the Lions on September 11.
And Pietersen expects a number of his injured players to start making their returns against the Lions.
“Jordan Hendrikse will hopefully be ready to get some game time next week [against the Lions], as will Jason Jenkins and Zekhethelo Siyaya,” Pietersen said.
“Stephan Lewies and Ethan Bester are hopefully on course for the Ospreys match.
“We’re also hoping that Simphiwe Matanzima and Yaw Penxe will get some minutes next week against the Lions.
“The other guys who are sidelined a bit longer are Emile van Heerden and Jaco Williams; hopefully they’ll be ready for the Stormers clash or soon thereafter.
“The bulk of our injured players will return against the Lions, and we’ll push them to get some playing minutes under their belts and to build some proper game time into them.”
While the injury list has provided a headache, the Sharks have also added an intriguing new weapon in Stormers loanee Suleiman Hartzenberg.
The 23-year-old, who can play both outside centre and wing, will make his first appearance for the Sharks against SWD in George.
Pietersen is excited about what Hartzenberg can bring to his squad.
“Suleiman is great to have; I always rated him when he started as a youngster and to have him on loan at the Sharks is just great,” he said.
“He slotted in seamlessly like he’s one of us. Obviously, it will take time for him to get used to our systems, how we operate, our language and how we do things.
“He’s a very positive kid who is always open to learning and becoming better, and how good is it for him to come at this time with Ma’a Nonu in our system to elevate his game and skill set more.
“He’s a great addition to our team, and hopefully he can shoot the lights out and just answer our questions in terms of what we want from him.
“We’re looking forward to what he can bring, and hopefully tomorrow [Friday] he can hit the ground running.”
Hartzenberg’s versatility could prove particularly useful for the Sharks, who are currently short of options at outside centre.
“His strength is that he can play two positions, and he’s good at both,” Pietersen said.
“We’ll give him a run at outside centre against SWD and see how he goes off the bench.
“Hopefully against the Lions we can see how he goes on the wing.
“We’re a bit skinny at centre at the moment, so we’ll probably play him more at outside centre this season.”
Sharks team to play SWD on Friday
15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Litelihle Bester, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Nemo Roelofse, 17 Ethan Bester, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Matt Romao, 22 Tino Mavesere, 23 Bradley Davids, 24 Jaden Hendrikse, 25 Siya Masuku, 26 Jaco Purchase, 27 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 28 Khuthi Rasivhaga.
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