Sharks skipper Andre Esterhuizen will help bring balance to an inexperienced backline with his strong communaction and organisational skills.
Image: BackpagePix
With a youthful backline set to feature in the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship finale against Zebre Parma, coach JP Pietersen says the side’s senior players will carry extra responsibility to provide structure and composure at Kings Park on Saturday (1.45pm kick-off).
The Durban outfit close out their season with several inexperienced backs in the mix, including Zekhethelo Siyaya, Jaco Williams, Bradley Davids and Lethelihle “Lilli” Bester, while Junior Springbok star Vusi Moyo is set to make his Sharks URC debut at flyhalf.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings for us at No 10 because we haven’t seen him play there at senior level yet,” Pietersen told a media conference on Thursday.
“And then obviously with the back three all under 23 years old, it’ll be exciting to see how they operate together in the backfield.”
Siyaya shifted from flyhalf to fullback after making his first start at No 10 against Benetton last weekend as the Sharks continued to juggle a backline ravaged by injuries, with wings Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe the latest casualties.
Pietersen admitted the constant reshuffling had hurt attacking cohesion.
“In rugby you need cohesion, and with cohesion you need player availability,” he said.
“If you look at our season, I think the most continuity we had was maybe two or three games together as a group of 23 players. There have always been changes because of injuries, and that affects your attack.”
“You can only build cohesion when combinations play together regularly. If Jordan Hendrikse isn’t available, there will always be talk around flyhalf because last year he was our frontline 10 and we reached the semi-finals.”
Still, Pietersen believes the injury crisis has created opportunities for younger players to prove themselves.
“Hopefully Vusi can put his hand up for us on Saturday,” he said.
While the selection points towards the Sharks’ future, Pietersen stressed the importance of experienced figures such as captain Andre Esterhuizen in guiding the younger backs through the pressure moments.
“With youth you get excitement and energy, but there will also be errors. That’s normal because that’s how players learn and gain experience,” he said.
“The beautiful thing is we’ve got Andre in the middle of them. He helps balance things out with his communication and organisation.”
Pietersen also backed Moyo’s temperament despite his age.
“Vusi is young, but he’s a very mature player. He understands the game and knows how to dictate tempo.”
The coach added that the responsibility would not rest solely on the backs, with the experienced forward pack needing to lay the platform.
“The forwards must give us go-forward and set-piece dominance. That’s the only way the backs earn the right to go wide.”
Pietersen was also full of praise for centre Jurenzo Julius after his hat-trick and Player-of-the-Match display against Benetton.
“Jurenzo has had a lot of setbacks with injuries this season, but wow, he was outstanding last week on the ball, both on defence and attack, and with his work rate off the ball. Probably one of his best performances this season," he said.
"And Andre complements him really well with communication and organisation around him. Hopefully, he can go on and maybe score four tries this weekend."
Despite the encouraging win over Benetton, Pietersen said consistency remained the Sharks’ biggest challenge.
“The question for us is always: can we back it up? We haven’t been consistent enough this season.”
Zebre, meanwhile, would present another stern examination.
“They’re dangerous in transition and can punish mistakes. We can’t take them lightly at all,” Pietersen warned.