Hollywoodbets Sharks skipper Andre Esterhuizen says his side cannot afford anymore slip-ups this season ahead of their make-or-break URC Round 15 clash with Ospreys in Bridgend on Saturday.
With four round robin matches remaining, the Durban franchise find themselves placed 10th, seven points off the quarterfinal berths and with everything still to play for.
They travel to Edinburgh next week before finishing off their regular season campaign against Italian sides Benetton and Zebre on the east coast, with any further losses likely to spell the end of their title ambitions.
Despite the pressure though, the team are embracing their situation.
“The mood in the camp is great at the moment,” said Esterhuizen. “We know we’re building something here, and we know we need to win basically four out of four games to stand a chance to get into the top eight. So, I think the group’s very motivated.
“We’ve had good chats, good training sessions, and yeah, we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead. Two away games—we haven’t been the best on the road this year, but it’s something we’re looking to rectify.”
With six wins, seven losses and a draw to date in the URC so far, inconsistency has been an issue for the Sharks, and in more ways than one according to the 32-year-old.
“I think the key message [this week] was basically consistency. That’s something we’ve been lacking this season—consistency in performance, not always results, but the performance side of things. So we’re driving that to get some good performances under our belt, and we know if we’re performing well, we’ve got a good chance of winning the matches.
“You need to be switched on as soon as you get onto the field and you start playing. I think that’s where the consistency comes in, and it’s a big mindset thing. You can’t be wanting to play one game and then switch off for another game. It’s a tough competition where you can lose any day of the week, and you need to be on it every single game.”
The Sharks have beaten Ospreys in three of the four previous meetings between the sides and will be out to add to that record. With the 11th-placed hosts just three points off their opponents this week, defeat for JP Pietersen’s men would see them fall further down the ladder.
“Ospreys is a tough side to play, especially there [in Wales]. They’re a physical side that likes to move the ball around. So, we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead, and we know they’re going to play a lot of rugby. They’ve got a nice attacking style of rugby.”
The transition coming straight from the Durban humidity to the chill of Bridgend will certainly be a contrast, but the blockbusting centre said the conditions on the South African east coast have oddly prepared the side for playing in potentially wet weather up north.
“I think it’s only the heat that’s basically the change. It’s just colder there. We play in Durban where the ball’s very slippery, so the wet ball, if it’s raining, is not going to be too much of a problem for us—we’re used to that. So basically, it’s just the coldness. It’s not a major thing for us.”
On a personal note, the captain says he is still adjusting to his relatively new role, but is making the most of it at this crucial stage of the season.
“It’s been a bit of a challenge for me, it’s something that I’m not used to. I’m actually enjoying it at the moment, trying to keep the spirits up, trying to lead the team and lead them in the right direction.
“I’m enjoying it, and I’ve got a great bunch of guys to work with. It’s just getting through to them now and leading by example. They need someone to follow, and hopefully, I can provide that and we steer this thing in the right direction with this season that’s left and into the next few seasons.”
With Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi and Jordan Hendrikse all ruled out of the remainder of the Sharks’ season, the side will certainly be depending on the leadership of Esterhuizen and the rest of their Springboks to get them over the line in the fight for the quarterfinals.
