John Plumtree and the Hollywoodbets Sharks will welcome the return of Eben Etzebeth, Aphelele Fassi and Lukhanyo Am to their starting lineup for their round 15 URC showdown with Edinburgh in the Scottish capital on Friday.
Etzebeth, named captain, has been sidelined since December, while Fassi and Am have also missed a lot of rugby this season. They’ll look to shake off the rust fast with the Durbanites coming into this clash sitting fourth, five-points off the Bulls (third) with fifth-placed Munster six-points back.
Said Plumtree: “Everyone’s available for the first time since Glasgow [in October], which seems like a long time ago. It’s a little bit of a relief in that space.
“As much it is a strong Sharks side on paper, the challenge will be for us to get our game going. A lot of boys haven’t played for a little while.
“We just want to have a good tour and try and set ourselves up for a home quarterfinal and potentially a home semi-final if we win our next four games.
“It’s one thing to have the talent and experience, but another to have your game going.”
Coached by former Sharks boss Sean Everitt, Edinburgh head into the encounter off the back of successive EPCR Challenge Cup knockout wins over the Lions and Bulls. They’re eighth, level on 36-points with Benetton (seventh) and Cardiff (ninth), and high on confidence.
“They’ve done a lot of homework on the South African teams,” said Plumtree. “They’re two from two and looking to be three from three. At home, [they’re a] very tough side.
“Their pack is full of internationals, they’ve got two outstanding nines. Their backs are loaded with flair as well. They’re a well-balanced team and very, very hard to beat at home.
“So we know how massive this challenge is for us, we know what winning any URC game away from home is always a challenge.”
