The responsibility on the players selected for Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup semi-final is one they accept, given how the season has progressed and how fortunes changed after a difficult start.
Hollywoodbets Sharks loose forward and captain Vincent Tshituka accepts the challenge as he acknowledges the hard work that’s been done to take the team to the position, they now find themselves.
“The guys who played in the Currie Cup played so well and there’s a responsibility on us coming from the URC squad to finish the good work they’ve done,” he explains.
“The way they picked up the season after the start they had is amazing. It’s easy to give up when you’re down and out, but they turned their season around and gave us the opportunity to be in a play-off this weekend. The guys were incredible in the last couple of games and it’s a massive responsibility for us, we know that.”
Looking at the opposition, he is well aware of the fact that the Bulls will be installed as favourites, but there’s nothing like a biblical David-Goliath battle to motivate his team.
“We know what the Bulls are like at Loftus and there is a lot of prep required, plus a lot of mental prep for the players to keep a calm mind but to also bring the attitude over the weekend.
“It’s going to be a bloody game, one when two big forces are meeting. We aren’t the favourites, we’re well aware of that.
“But for me, that’s motivation, I love being the underdog, it just puts a different kind of fire in your belly.”
Head coach John Plumtree has made six changes and one rotational change this week, bringing in Fez Mbatha for Dylan Richardson at hooker, with Corne’ Rahl replacing Gerbrandt Grobler at lock and James Venter coming in for Emmanuel Tshituka in the back row.
Amongst the backs, Ethan Hooker shifts from centre to wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen and Francois Venter form the new centre partnership, while Eduan Keyter taking over from Lili Bester on the wing completes the changes.
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Fez Mbatha, 3. Hanro Jacobs, 4. Corne’ Rahl, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. James Venter, 7. Vincent Tshituka (c), 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 9. Bradley Davids, 10. Siya Masuku, 11. Ethan Hooker, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Francois Venter, 14. Eduan Keyter, 15. Jordan Hendrikse. Replacements: 16. Ethan Bester, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Tian Meyer, 22. Lionel Cronje, 23. Litelihle Bester.
Players not considered for selection due to injury: Braam Reyneke, Cameron Wright, Dan Jooste, Diego Appollis, Dylan Richardson, Hakeem Kunene, IG Prinsloo, Jannes Potgieter, Jason Jenkins, Jean Smith, Jurenzo Julius, Khwezi Mona, Marnus Potgieter, Ruan Dreyer, Siya Ningiza, Thomas Dyer, Tinotenda Mavesere, Yaw Penxe.