JP Pietersen excited about chance to reverse Sharks' fortunes against Lions at Ellis Park

At the Sharks team announcement press conference on Thursday, JP Pietersen quickly brushed off talk about his recent appointment as head coach and said the more important matter is beating the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday (2pm kick-off).

“Nothing much has changed (since his status as head coach changed from interim to permanent on Wednesday),” he said. “There have been some congratulations, but we have a big game this week; the focus is on getting a positive result, not on me.”

Pietersen said that after the high of back-to-back defeats of the Stormers, the players took a break before reconvening for the fresh challenge of away SA Derbies against the Lions and the Bulls.

“The excitement is in the challenge of changing our fortunes at Ellis Park,” he said. “We are aware of our lack of success up there in recent times. It is something we can turn around.

“The main focus is on how we can get better under pressure and on starting better after a poor start against the Lions in Durban (on January 3), which cost us the match,” the coach added.

“It is important to get the balance right between enjoying the game and getting the technical side right. We want to be focused but not stressed when we take the field at Ellis Park.”

With several key players resting in Durban because of Springbok protocols, Pietersen said this game gives him an important opportunity to gauge the capability of his greater squad.

“It gives you that opportunity to see if the guys in between — those in transition from juniors to seniors, or seniors who haven’t had enough game time – are improving week by week even if they are not always playing,” Pietersen said. “It’s a great chance for some of them to put up their hands because in the background, they have kept working hard.

“In some positions, we want to see if young talent can make a statement. We know what we have got in guys like Andre Esterhuizen and Siya Kolisi… We want to see what we have in the guys standing in.”

A prime example is 21-year-old former Junior Springbok Thomas Dyer. He is standing in for another Hilton College old boy, Nick Hatton, who is injured.

Dyer, a formidable fellow at 1.96m and 115kg, played lock for the SA Under-20 team in 2023 and 2024 but is now a No 8.

“It’s a great challenge physically for Tom. He will want to see how fast he can move, how well he can execute his skill set under pressure during a fast game at altitude and against a good loose trio,” Pietersen said.

“Tom is more than capable. He’s been in our system for a long time and played well for the SA Under-20s. I am excited for Tom to showcase what he has been working hard on.”

Pietersen also wants a good look at Zimbabwean flank Tino Mavesere.

“It will also be good to see how Tino stands up against a good Lions loose trio,” he said.

Pietersen has moved Junior Bok Jurenzo Julius to 12 from his customary position of 13. This has raised eyebrows because veteran Francois Venter will partner Julius at outside centre.

Pietersen said he wants “The Boogie Man” closer to the ball.

“It’s about Jurenzo’s explosiveness, how strong he is in contact. You want Jurenzo to touch the ball more in a game,” the coach explained. “The more touches he gets, the better for the team and the better for him because he is so powerful.”

Pietersen expects a high-paced game at Ellis Park as the Lions use the width of the field to cash in on the altitude.

“They beat us in Durban, and in that first half, they showed how to put us under pressure,” he said. “They were clinical and got out to a 17-point lead early. They’ll take confidence from that. They will want to move us around the park.”

Sharks team to play Lions

15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Edwill van der Merwe 13 Francois Venter 12 Jurenzo Julius 11 Jaco Williams 10 Siya Masuku 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Thomas Dyer 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Corne Rahl 3 Hanro Jacobs 2 Fez Mbatha 1 Phatu Ganyane.

Bench: 16 Eduan Swart 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Kch 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Ross Braude 22 Jordan Hendrikse 12 Yaw Penxe.

* Mike Greenaway is the senior rugby reporter at Independent Media and senior contributor on our Last World on Rugby podcast on our YouTube channel The Clutch