John Plumtree has explained the absence of Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams for the Sharks against the Vodacom Bulls in Durban on Saturday.
The Springbok trio featured in the Challenge Cup title win over Gloucester in London last week, but are sidelined for the final Sharks match of 2023-24 in the last round of the regular season in the Vodacom URC at Kings Park.
Veteran centre Francois Venter takes over the armband in the absence of Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am, who sat out the clash in the English capital due to a shoulder injury.
Speaking in a Sharks conference on Friday, Plumtree told reporters: “Grant Williams sustained a hamstring injury in the game against Gloucester. He has not recovered sufficiently.
TEAM: Venter to lead Sharks in season finale
“Eben has some back stiffness and with the travelling, it has not been great. He is just a little bit uncomfortable at the moment.
“Lukhanyo is still injured and will be out for three to four weeks.”
“In terms of Mapimpi, we sent him home to visit his family. He played a lot of rugby,” the head coach added.
“In the last seven or eight games he played the full 80 minutes, so I thought it was a good opportunity for him to freshen up ahead of the international season.”
The Sharks have only won four of 17 URC matches this season, and are out of the running for a playoff spot but will determine whether the Bulls finish outside of the top two on the overall standings as well as who wins the SA Shield.
Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images
