The expected return of Eben Etzebeth should significantly boost the injury-hit Hollywoodbets Sharks when they make the trip to Galway to face in-form Connacht in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 on Friday.
Match context
With a mounting injury list to contend with, JP Pietersen’s side should be turbocharged by Etzebeth’s inclusion, with the legendary enforcer set to make his long-awaited return from suspension this week. After having served his mammoth 12-game ban for eye gouging Alex Mann during the Boks’ 73-0 win against Wales in Cardiff in November, Etzebeth’s presence will be a welcome relief for Pietersen.
The Sharks boss is without the services of the likes of Aphelele Fassi, Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi and Jurenzo Julius, who are all ruled out through one thing or another. For a side currently languishing outside the top eight of the URC, and with Champions Cup participation next season hanging by a thread, Etzebeth’s influence will be huge.
The 34-year-old was at the heart of the Sharks’ successful Challenge Cup campaign of two seasons ago, and with the franchise currently in a not too dissimilar position right now, they will need as much help as they can get if they wish to qualify for the Champions Cup next term.
To do that, they must either make the cut for the URC quarterfinals, or else again win the Challenge Cup. They pick up the latter objective this weekend against Stuart Lancaster’s Connacht outfit, who are themselves right in the mix for the URC playoffs and will be quietly confident of having a deep run in the Challenge Cup.
The Western Irish club are a notoriously difficult team to beat in Galway, with the Sharks having yet to win at the Dexcom Stadium. In fact, Connacht have triumphed in four of the previous five meetings between the sides in total, arguably making the Durbanites’ task even greater.
The hosts head into the clash on a five-game winning run, with confidence at a high, and the Sharks need to be on more clinical than they have been of late if they wish to progress to the quarterfinal.
Players to watch
Shamus Hurley-Langton (Connacht)
The Taranaki-born back rower was a major factor in his side’s defeat of Ospreys in the URC last week and will be relishing the chance to get stuck into the Sharks’ pack come matchday. Hurley-Langton walked away with the Player of the Match award against the Welsh region after scoring two tries on his return after a long period out with shoulder trouble. If that performance is anything to go by, the Sharks’ loose forwards would do well to pay close attention to him.
Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
All eyes will be on Big Eben after his extended period on the sidelines, and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see his involvement have a direct influence on the game, whether at set piece time or around the fringes. Whether he’s introduced off the bench or thrust straight into the starting lineup, the Boks’ all-time leading appearance maker is likely to throw himself into as much action as he can on his return.
Tactical overview
The Sharks’ set piece supremacy has been central to all that has gone well for them this season, and that trend should continue in Galway. Pietersen’s men top the URC charts for scrum accuracy, while they are placed second for their lineout prowess, and these features of their game will be vital.
Aside from having to contend with the Dexcom crowd themselves, the weather in Galway will be a big contrast for the visitors, who come from the Durban heat and humidity. As such, the Sharks will need to adapt fast to whatever conditions are thrown at them, and the experience of their leadership group will be particularly key in this regard, as will their handling and decision-making.
If Connacht can make the most of their home ground advantage and stand tall at the scrum and lineout, they will be difficult to beat. Their superior knowledge of the conditions, coupled with their impressive recent form, could be too much for a weakened Sharks outfit.
Prediction
Connacht have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack this season, and given the struggles the Sharks are having to deal with right now, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the hosts take it on the scoreboard.
