Sharks brace for well-oiled Scarlets machine

Sharks head coach John Plumtree said they are not underestimating the “genuine threat” they face in Welsh side Scarlets, who are on a three-game winning streak, when the teams play their final United Rugby Championship league phase game at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm).

He alsosaid he has spent time catching up with his son Taine this week, and wishes him the best for when, the Welsh international lines up opposite his own players on the field.

However, Plumtree joked he certainly hopes “he doesn’t win”.

Scarlets improved in every area

“With Taine playing in that team, I’ve been watching that team for a long time because I follow his rugby very closely and how he’s progressing,” Plumtree said. “I’ve been watching the Scarlets for the whole season, really, and they’ve improved in just about every area of their game.”

The Scarlets lie sixth on the URC log and are within two points of Stormers at fifth. However, a loss could mean they drop out of the top eight and not appear in the play-offs at all.

They are in great form, however, coming from 32–19 win over the Lions in Johannesburg last week that followed an even more impressive 35–22 win against Leinster in Wales.

“The Welsh side has just gotten better as the season’s gone on. So it’s no surprise to me that they are where they are at the moment,” Plumtree added.

“They have a lot of consistency around selection. They probably don’t have the squad depth but they’ve had a good run of not having too many injuries. So they’ve kept players on the park, and with that their game has developed.”

The Sharks coach said Scarlets have X-factor and confidence on their side.

“Their set-piece is functioning really well. It certainly did against the Lions and Leinster. They’re a genuine threat. They’ve beaten Ospreys and Leinster, a side that we didn’t. It’s going to be a real contest.”

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will lead the Sharks side on the day while Siya Kolisi is rested and Grant Williams and Lukhanyo Am are still not back from injury.

Taine Plumtree lines up against his father

Regarding his son, Plumtree said this was the first time Taine would be playing against the Sharks in South Africa. When they featured on opposite ends of the field in Wales last year, the Welsh media were just as interested as our own.

“From his side, he grew up watching a lot of rugby at this stadium. So I know how excited he is about coming back here and actually playing here. As a young fellow he was running around those back fields and playing rugby with his mates.”

Plumtree said for Taine to return would be a “massive moment for him”.

“I spent a lot of time with him this week. We don’t really talk too much about rugby. It’s been more around his brothers and family, and everything else. His mum’s here now so it’s for him because he hadn’t caught up with her for about eight months. So he’s had a really good week.

“When it’s your own kid you hope he plays well and hope he gets through the game safe. I certainly hope he doesn’t win,” Plumtree laughed.

“In our preparation this week we haven’t talked about him too much. The players have been respectful around that.”