Springbok-less Sharks versus wounded Lions adds up to juicy URC clash at Ellis Park

The timing of the announcement of JP Pietersen as head coach of the Sharks has raised eyebrows because, instead of waiting until later in the season, it arrived on the eve of two very tough visits to the Highveld for the Durbanites, starting today against the Lions at Ellis Park, followed by a trip up the road to the Bulls in Pretoria.

That is quite some baptism for Pietersen, who no longer has the free pass of being the “interim” coach plus this fortnight he is bereft of his resting Springboks.

No inspirational captain in Andre Esterhuizen, no lethal attacker in Ethan Hooker, scrum spearhead Ox Nche is absent, as is Siya Kolisi, and so on. The team Pietersen has picked, in fact, is similar to the teams John Plumtree was forced to select when the Boks were away, with disappointing performances often the result.

So will anything be different under Pietersen? This is a big test for the up-and-coming coach and we will see how the greater squad has progressed under his stewardship — he has been in charge since December 5 last year.

The signs are promising, though. The Sharks have won five of seven games under Pietersen and were tactically superior to the Stormers in the home-and-away series between those teams in which the Durbanites prevailed.

There has also been a change in attitude from the Sharks players. They appear more energised and determined.

Pietersen is big on “fight,” and his team is going to need plenty of it at Ellis Park, where the hurting Lions lie in wait.

The 50-point humiliation inflicted on them by the visiting Bulls in their last match has resulted in introspection, and we can be certain there will be much chest thumping in the Lions’ change room pre kick-off.

And you can forgive coach Cash van Rooyen for pointing out to his players that it is for the match against them that the Shark is have chosen to rest their Boks, after being at full strength against the Capetonians, not that the Lions need too much external motivation after their no-show against the Bulls.

In contrast to the Sharks team, the Lions combination is bristling with their best players. Van Rooyen has shown his intent with the rugged pack he has picked, with battlers Etienne Oosthuizen and Darrien Landsberg in the second row, bruiser Ruan Venter slotting straight back into the loose trio after his four-match suspension, while the front row of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha and SJ Kotze is formidable.

The difference between the teams could come down to the performance of the halfback combinations —Chris Smith and Morne van den Berg versus the visiting Siya Masuku and Jaden Hendrikse. While the latter is in good form, Masuku has been hit or miss this season.

Then there is the significant issue of a 2pm summer kick-off at altitude. Like the Sharks train in humidity and have that advantage for home games, Saturday’s conditions are bread and butter for the home team.

It will be difficult for the Sharks, but imagine their confidence if they win this one? It will also confirm the growth of the squad under Pietersen.

And if the Lions lose, where to next for them?

Teams

Lions — 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ettienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.

Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Eddie Davids, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.

Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Edwill van der Merwe 13 Francois Venter 12 Jurenzo Julius 11 Jaco Williams 10 Siya Masuku 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Thomas Dyer 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Corne Rahl 3 Hanro Jacobs 2 Fez Mbatha 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Bench: 16 Eduan Swart 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Ross Braude 22 Jordan Hendrikse 12 Yaw Penxe.