Victorious Sharks get Bok boost
UPDATE: The Sharks, fresh from an inspiring win in France this past weekend, received a significant boost.
They were joined in Cardiff by a number of Springboks, ahead of their United Rugby Championship outing at Arms Park on Friday.
The Sharks departed for a three-match European tour without their Springboks.
Eben Etzebeth, Ethan Hooker, André Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, Edwill van der Merwe and Thomas du Toit all took a much-needed breather ahead of the sensational 40-33 win in a Challenge Cup match in Lyon this past weekend.
They have since travelled to Wales to face Cardiff in a URC Round Four match, before heading across to Ireland for a face-off with Munster.
There is no clarity if Etzebeth, who is managing a minor lower-limb concern, will be available to face Cardiff or Munster.
While stars like Etzebeth, Nché, and Esterhuizen stayed back, other returning Springboks and reinforcement figures such as Vincent Tshituka, Jordan Hendrikse, and Jaco Williams travelled with the initial 28-man group.
(Continue below …)
“Yes, they [the Boks] have joined us,” forwards coach Warren Whiteley told an online media briefing, adding that they have only had one session with the Boks in camp, but will have another session later on Tuesday.
“It is about getting everyone aligned with the plan,” the former Bok captain said.
“We are really excited [about facing Cardiff].
“On tour it is an opportunity to connect and get to know each other better.”
Whiteley said they have some ‘learnings’ from last week’s Euro win over Lyon Olympique Universitaire and are working on ‘improving’ every week.
@JanDKrugby
