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Sharks name 7 World Cup-winning Springboks in XV to face Clermont

Eben Etzebeth of the Hollywoodbets Sharks tackling Pierre Schoeman of Edinburgh during the EPCR Challenge Cup, Quarter Final match between Cell C Sharks and Edinburgh at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on April 13, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has named seven World Cup-winning South Africa internationals in his starting XV to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday at the Twickenham Stoop.

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The front row combination of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch have all lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, as has Eben Etzebeth, scrum-half Grant Williams, winger Makazole Mapimpi and captain Lukhanyo Am.

On top of that contingent, there are a further two Springboks in the squad, winger Aphelele Fassi and replacement loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu, as well as South Africa veteran Werner Kok.

“In games like this, it’s about getting the best prep and we’ve done a great deal to put ourselves in this position and once you’re in the changeroom, it’s about having confidence in the prep you’ve done,” Am said.

“This game is a big one for us and everyone is hyped and excited to be playing in a semi against a quality side like Clermont.”

Fixture
Challenge Cup
Sharks
32 - 31
Full-time
Clermont
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“We back our set-piece against a good Clermont set-piece and they do mix it up between forwards and backs, which is the same with us. So it’s definitely going to be an exciting game.

“With all the prep we’ve done, I think we’re ready.”

After a poor start to the season, the Sharks have now won five of their last six matches, but will face a Clermont side who are also in a rich vein of form having won three of their last four.

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Sharks XV
15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Ethan Hooker, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Grant Williams, 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. James Venter, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi
Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Lappies Labuschagne, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Francois Venter

Clermont XV
15. Alex Newsome, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Julien Heriteau, 12. George Moala, 11. Joris Jurand, 10. Anthony Belleau, 9. Baptiste Jauneau, 1. Giorgi Beria, 2. Etienne Fourcade, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Marcos Kremer, 7. Peceli Yato, 8. Fritz Lee (c)
Replacements: 16. Yohan Beheregaray, 17. Giorgi Dzmanashvili, 18. Cristian Ojovan, 19. Thibault Lanen, 20. Killian Tixeront, 21. Pita-Gus Sowakula, 22. Theo Giral, 23. Léon Darricarrere

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1 Comment
f
finn 290 days ago

jesus - that front 5!

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JW 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

Haha yep another great way to say it.


Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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