United Rugby Championship: Sharks boss Neil Powell welcomes returning Springboks for Ospreys clash in search for stability
Sharks director of rugby and now coach Neil Powell claims the return of his Springboks contingent has helped the team “refocus” after Sean Everitt stepped away from the hot seat this week.
Following the Sharks’ poor 35-0 loss to Cardiff at home last weekend, Everitt resigned from his role as head coach of the Durban outfit, with Powell taking over, having only recently joined the side as the director of rugby in September.
Recalling the big guns
In his first outing as coach, Powell has thrown several Springboks straight into the fray, with Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Jaden Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Grant Williams all in the matchday 23 to face the Ospreys.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth are given a rest due to their high workload on international duty.
Powell admits the biggest thing this week was to process the changes in the club and then refocus for their clash on Friday.
“To have those Boks back was really good to help refocus us,” Powell said. “It was a difficult week and we spoke a lot about what happened, and how we see the next week and the focus needs to be shifted.
“It’s obviously not easy but I think it was important for us to get together as a whole squad and talk about what happened at the weekend.
“Yes, 35-0 was disappointing, and we all know that we were a part of that. We’ve got to refocus and make sure we’re prepared for the next game and hopefully be successful in this game.
“The goals are still the same and it’s just about getting clarity and the buy-in from the players.”
Tactical decisions
Outside of the returnees, there are several changes that include the robust Vincent Tshituka shifting to lock, allowing a loose trio of Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi and Jeandre Labuschagne.
Curwin Bosch starts at fly-half with Boeta Chamberlain at 15, a deliberate tactical ploy from the Sharks boss.
“It was important for us to maximise the pack and the way we wanted to play. Think Vincent can make a massive contribution at four lock,” Powell said.
“You would like your most important players on the field and that’s why we selected both Notshe and Phepsi in the starting lineup.
“We’ve wanted to reward players who’ve played well and Lappies played really well against the Cheetahs [in a warm-up game last week] and that’s why he starts.
“Curwin has been training with us fully for a few weeks now. What we’re looking for from Curwin is just to manage the game from a kicking perspective.
“We want to make sure we play in the opposition half and that’s mainly why we selected Curwin.”
The Durban side sits in twelfth on the United Rugby Championship table with some games in hand and will be looking to begin their climb into the Champions Cup and play-off positions.
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