Former Sharks fullback and coach Hugh Reece-Edwards says the Durban-based union needs to develop greater home-grown depth.
Despite boasting one of the most star-studded squads in the competition, the Sharks are without a win after four rounds of the URC, and 14th on the log. The latest setback saw a Bok-heavy team suffer a 34-26 defeat to Ulster in Durban.
Reece-Edwards told IOL Sport the Sharks lack the next tier of players capable of stepping up when their Boks are unavailable.
“You need that depth. It’s not just about numbers. If Eben Etzebeth is away, you want a player who’s a real stalwart stepping in, with a youngster learning from him.
“We’ve got a number of Springboks, but who are the next guys who are going to become Springboks? Besides young Ethan Hooker, there aren’t many knocking on the door – and that’s really what you want.”
Reece-Edwards, who earned three Springbok Test caps, argues that the Sharks’ recruitment should focus less on big names and more on players with Bok potential.
“You know that the Springboks are going to be away for a number of fixtures, so that opens doors straight away. There’s also this restriction of 30 games a year, so we won’t be able to use all the players all the time, and obviously a number of them are going away again in November, so there are going to be gaps,” he explained.
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He pointed to the Bulls as a model of smarter squad building.
“A classic example is bringing back a guy like Marcell Coetzee. There are players who’ve played a bit of Test rugby, gone overseas, done well, come back again and still really put their hand up for their team. That sort of player is invaluable.”
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The Sharks could soon benefit from the return of prop Thomas du Toit from Bath – a move that may signal a shift toward that model.
With Plumtree’s side facing the winless Scarlets this weekend, Reece-Edwards said only a convincing performance will silence the critics.
“They’re under massive pressure now. Whoever they pick, it’s probably going to be the top side again. Even if they beat the Scarlets, the sceptics will say they only beat the bottom side, so they’ve got to perform well this week, and again the following game.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Former Sharks fullback and coach Hugh Reece-Edwards says the Durban-based union needs to develop greater home-grown depth.
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