Sharks searching for new 'Butch' or 'Michalak' to fire up listless attack

The Sharks have sent a squad composed mostly of up-and-coming youngsters to Manchester to face Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup. This presents a golden opportunity for these players to leapfrog senior figures who have failed to produce this season.

Arguably the most important position on the field is flyhalf, and the Sharks are crying out for a top-quality number 10 to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and breathe life into a listless, aimless backline.

To be frank, the Sharks’ attack is stagnant. It has been for an age. There has been zero growth in this area beyond the return of André Esterhuizen to bash the ball up the middle. While Esterhuizen performs this role exceptionally well, it should not constitute the sum total of their offensive strategy.

If they are to evolve under JP Pietersen, they require a change in attack coach and a change at fly-half. One suspects Pietersen would not have enjoyed playing on the left wing in this current setup. When he was coming through at the Sharks in the late 2000s, coach Dick Muir and flyhalf Butch James ensured the wings saw plenty of the ball.

Pietersen also played alongside the French wizard Frederic Michalak, who enjoyed two impressive stints in Durban. One wonders what a player of Michalak’s vision could do with the likes of Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Makazole Mapimpi, and Jurenzo Julius.

In last week's defeat against the Lions in Durban, Jordan Hendrikse wore the number 10 shirt. Much has been expected of the two-Test Springbok since his 2024 move from the Lions. To be fair, he has been plagued by injuries and has spent time at fullback — a position where the Sharks lack depth, especially given Fassi's frequent injury spells.

When Hendrikse has played at 10, he has not set the backline on fire, though he may simply be a frustrated player waiting for an inspirational plan. Furthermore, his poor goal-kicking was a primary factor in the loss to the Lions.

Perhaps the 24-year-old will yet come good under Pietersen, who is still new to the role and cannot be expected to reinvent the wheel after being thrust into the job mid-season.

Nevertheless, Saturday’s game against Sale offers a chance to other flyhalves, as Hendrikse has not travelled. The men on duty are Siya Masuku and Jean Smith, while Junior Springbok flyhalf Vusi Moyo is also in the mix.

In 2024, Masuku enjoyed an excellent period after joining from the Cheetahs. He was instrumental in the Sharks’ Challenge Cup victory and was named Player of the Match in the final against Gloucester. However, Masuku faded from the picture due to injuries and patchy form. One feels there is more to come from him if he can secure decent game time.

Smith — son of Glasgow Warriors coach Franco and a former Junior Springbok — finished the 2025 Currie Cup strongly under Pietersen. He deserves a shot in the United Rugby Championship at some point, if not this Saturday.

Pietersen will be urging his youthful side to play so well against Sale that they pile pressure on the senior players left at home. In this squad, no position is more wide open than flyhalf.