Plumtree: Etzebeth’s yellow card incident raised Sharks’ physicality by 10%

The cost of a converted try that occurred immediately after Eben Etzebeth’s yellow card was possibly offset by the increased physicality the Sharks team showed after the altercation, on their way to winning their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Edinburgh 18–17 at Hive Stadium on Friday.

Etzebeth received the card for starting a scuffle with Edinburgh’s Sam Skinner in the 46th minute, which saw much pushing and shoving between players on both sides.

It occurred one minute after Lukhanyo Am was sent to the bin for a cynical offside. So the Sharks were reduced to 13 men and were all but helpless to stop Ewan Ashman scoring Edinburgh’s third try of the night.

‘It got pretty spicy’

It was the Sharks captain’s first match since he sustained a concussion in December last year. His return was accompanied by that of fullback Aphelele Fassi, who similarly had not played since a knee and ankle injury sustained in December, though he had an even worse game.

The Sharks were at sea, especially in the first half. While just trailing 10–6 at that point, they were coming off second best in all departments but especially in defence.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree said after the game that while Etzebeth would not be happy with his own conduct, he could see how the incident had increased the physical intensity his Durban side showed.

“I think when Eben got pretty fired up and the boys got behind at the end, it got pretty spicy,” the coach said.

“We were under the pump 15 metres out, got a yellow card [Lukhanyo Am] and then Eben getting one [as well], it wasn’t ideal.

“He won’t be happy about that. But I do think everyone’s physicality went up about 10% as soon as that happened.”

Sharks still have to work for wins despite big names

Plumtree said the expectation that came with Etzebeth and Fassi’s return – and also those of Lukhanyo Am and Grant Williams who had also been in and out the squad due to injury – was that they would “roll out this team and it wins every week”. But they still have to work for it.

“I don’t want to make any excuses, we’ve got a lot of stars in out team, but Edinburgh were outstanding tonight and they’ve got their own stars.”

The result took the Sharks up to 49 points on the URC table, though they are still fourth, just one point behind the Bulls who have a game in hand.