VIDEO: Why the Sharks are 'frustrating' Schalk
The Sharks, with their American backers in tow, have the potential to become South Africa’s version of Leinster – a dominant force on the global stage.
However, their ability to establish their own identity has become a source of ‘frustration’ for Springbok legend Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jr.
Burger, affectionately known as Klein Schalk to differentiate from his father, also Schalk Burger, admitted the Sharks’ departure from the European Cup at the quarterfinal stage could be a blessing in disguise.
Their 20-54 loss to French giants Stade Toulousain – despite fielding a team with nine Springboks – caused a mild panic attack for the Shark Tank faithful.
Even a few Springbok fans started to fret, with the World Cup in France just five months away.
It came on a weekend when South Africa’s debut season in Europe came to an abrupt end at the quarterfinal stage of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions.
The focus now turns to qualification for the United Rugby Championship play-off race – as the final fortnight of the regular season resumes this weekend.
With it goes a mad dash for places in the top eight – which secures a place at the top table in Europe next season – the Champions Cup.
The remaining eight again drop down to the Challenge Cup.
For the Sharks, their matches against Italian outfit Benetton and Irish powerhouse Munster are vitally important for their qualification hopes.
Burger, speaking in an online media briefing ahead of the URC Round 17 fixtures, admitted that he enjoys watching Leinster – the Irish province fancied to claim a URC and Champions Cup double.
(Article continues below the Schalk Burger interview …)
“I guess the Sharks are a bit frustrating to watch because they have so many good players,” Burger said in response to a @rugby365com question about the Sharks and their American backers.
“The only way out when you watch them play is when they have their big-name Springboks playing,” he added.
“They play with a Springbok pack and it becomes a set-piece and kick battle, where they put you under pressure.
“That’s probably, currently, just a culture thing.”
The retired Bok, who turns 40 on Thursday, said the reason why Leinster is his favourite team to watch is because of the fast-paced, expansive game they play.
However, he felt it will take time for the Sharks – or any other SA team – to get to that level.
He pointed out that when taking over a team it is easier to get the players to be “brave” and defend – while also putting a “decent kicking plan” in place.
“That [kick and defend] is easier than to get a culture where the attack outworks defence,” Burger said in response to the @rugby365com question.
“That’s what makes Leinster so special.
“It is how quick they set up their attack and how cleverly they utilise it.
“That said, it’s one of the most difficult things to get right in rugby and that’s where it comes down to work rate, team culture and the conditioning of your players to [play] a specific game.
“You can’t just turn up and say the Sharks need to play like Leinster.”
(Leo Cullen about Leinster touring South Africa …)
He said the Sharks still need to find out the way they really want to play.
“What is the identity of the Sharks?” he asked.
“The current squad seems really happy bunch with a nice culture off the field.
“But on the field it’s quite tricky to pinpoint the way they’re trying to play – what is their attacking structure, how they want to play.
“In contrast to that, the Stormers already have an identity – how they defend and how they transition from defence to attack.
“They don’t attack for 30-odd phases. They are dynamic on the ball.
“They are comfortable in chaos – when the game breaks up and there are fractions to have the Stormers come alive.”
Turning back to the Sharks, he said putting their own dynamic structures in place – getting their own DNA, so to speak – is not going to happen overnight.
“The coaching staff has been reshuffled quite significantly over the past two years,” he said of Neil Powell coming in as Director of Rugby and Sean Everitt
Rugby union transferring to the Bulls’ Currie Cup set-up.
“Neil Powell has had to step up as Director of Rugby to fill in as head coach and for him it’s a big transition coming from Sevens.
“He might be brilliant for developing an overall framework for the franchise and bringing the youth through.
“However, coming into the 15-man game, it becomes so technical and finer details that make the side tick.
“[It is] not the big picture, but the small detail that you have to get right.”
Burger also suggested there might be truth in recent reports that former Sharks head coach and All Black assistant coach John Plumtree is returning to take up a full-time role in Durban.
“There are rumours that Plum [Plumtree] is coming back and we even saw him in the stands the other day.
“He understands what the Sharks are all about and they enjoyed a lot of success previously under him.
“It will take a while and you [the fans] have to be patient.”
Burger also pointed out one of the most obvious issues – the declining exchange rate of South Africa’s currency.
“The other problem is that our player turnover in South Africa is high,” he said of the nearly 400 professional players from South Africa plying their trade abroad.
“The issue becomes how you build a future if there’s no long-term commitment from your senior players.
“It will have to change sooner than later.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
