SHARKS coach JP Pietersen.
Image: BACKPAGEPIX
The Sharks have an injury list that includes half a dozen Springboks, but coach JP Pietersen prefers to see the glass half full as opposed to half empty.
A few weeks ago, the fledgling coach had expected to have Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi, Siya Kolisi, and Jordan Hendrikse in harness for the business end of the United Rugby Championship, but fate had other ideas.
Laelym Pietersen has also lost Junior Springbok fullbacks Jaco Williams and Luan Giliomee, with Aphelele Fasi on the long-term injury list.
“We have a bit of an injury crisis,” Pietersen said with understatement. “It is about how you manage it. You can make excuses or look at what you have got.
“And it is not all bad in terms of the guys out — for this game against the Ospreys, we got back from niggles(locks) Emile van Heerden and Jason Jenkins, and in the loose forwards, Phepsi Buthelezi and Manu Tshituka come back and go straight into the starting lineup. So we are grateful for that.
“Andre Esterhuizen makes a vital return to the team because his leadership means so much.
“So, how we see it is that while there are some big names injured, we have a very competitive group for Saturday.
“And everyone understands the importance of getting the result on Saturday,” Pietersen continued. “Rugby players love a challenge and some of them are leading the way while some still are still learning about pressure games.
"That is the group we have got — we have young guys, we have in-between guys, and we have experienced guys. They are all pulling together, and it is nice to hear in team meetings how the different guys contribute to the common goal of winning on Saturday.”