Plum vs Plum: John Plumtree’s son Taine takes on Sharks at Kings Park

Sharks players say they’ve enjoyed some light-hearted banter ahead of this weekend’s clash, which will see their coach’s son lining up as part of the opposition in a friendly family rivalry.

John Plumtree’s son Taine is a Welsh international and a key player at Scarlets, who will travel to Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

While the Sharks coach and his charges have spoken excitedly about his appearance, it’s serious stuff for Scarlets, who could miss out on a play-off spot if they lose this final United Rugby Championship league phase game kicking off at 7.30pm.

The Sharks will also be eager to win and move up to third on the URC log.

Plumtree excited to see his son

“I was hoping he might play on this pitch one day and it’s going to happen. It’s not for the Sharks, but it will be good to see him,” Plumtree said of his son. “Of course he’s got to get through this week safely.”

No reports of an injury to Taine have emerged, and he has played in all six of their last games, scoring tries against Lions, Leinster and Ospreys.

Sharks flanker James Venter, who may have to line up opposite Taine depending on the position he is played, called his coach Taine’s “number one supporter”.

“Coach Plum obviously loves his son and is a big supporter of his son as well. He never misses a game,” Venter said. “It’s going to be a good battle this weekend.”

Sharks will not hold back against Taine

“We had some good banter in the week,” the flanker smiled. “This morning, they were showing one or two clips of their defensive efforts and he said ‘there’s a big, big wall there so you got to watch out for him’, obviously referring to Taine.”

Venter said the Sharks do not focus too much on certain individuals per se. “But on the field on Saturday, we’ll definitely make him aware that the boys are there. We know who he is and we are not going to hold back [against] him.”