Injury setback for winless Sharks
NEWS: The Sharks will most likely be without one of their key players when they continue their United Rugby Championship campaign this week.
Assistant coach Phiwe Nomlomo confirmed that hooker Fezokuhle Mbatha “took a knock” in the 24-35 loss to Glasgow Warriors at the weekend and is doubtful for the Round Three encounter with the Ospreys this coming Friday.
“We will monitor him closely and a call will be made in due course,” Nomlomo said, adding that the short turnaround from a Saturday to a Friday game makes it “unlikely” that he will make the selection.
Kerron van Vuuren and Dan Jooste are the other hookers in the squad, with Van Vuuren coming on as a replacement this past weekend.
After their trip to the Liberty Stadium on Friday, the Sharks conclude their four-match salvo in Europe against Cardiff.
Sharks coach Sean Everitt bemoaned the team’s lack of discipline against the Warriors at the weekend – conceding 13 penalties, of which five were in quick succession in the first half.
“Discipline was a problem last week,” he said of the 17-42 loss to Munster in Round One.
Even though they managed to reduce that just 13 in Round Two, they were still put on the back foot by their Scottish opposition.
“I was happy with the discipline in the second half,” Everitt said, adding: “That is why our second-half performance was a lot better.
“Our line-outs and scrums have improved substantially.
“There were a lot of improvements in the last two games.
“We will continue to improve as the competition gets on.”
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