The hard work that Siya Masuku has put in on his conditioning over the last few weeks has presented the Hollywoodbets Sharks star with a chance to join the Springbok flyhalf conversation by playing in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the DHL Stormers.
The hero of the Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup triumph lost his place as the Sharks’ starting No10 to Jordan Hendrikse once Bok starting fullback Aphelele Fassi returned to Shark duty after three games of the URC and the Glasgow Warriors came to town. Hendrikse, who moved to the Sharks from the Emirates Lions in the off-season, had worn the No15 jersey before that.
With Hendrikse having played so well for the Boks against Wales in Cardiff last week in what was his second appearance as the starting pivot in the national team, you can hardly suggest that Hendrikse has been dropped by John Plumtree. But the Sharks coach did explain the selection by saying that apart from sticking with the player who has trained at flyhalf for the Sharks over the last few weeks while the Boks were away, he was also rewarding him for work he has put in.
“Siya has been working really hard for the last couple of weeks, and he is now in much better physical nick than he was when he was on tour with us,” said Plumtree in explaining the selection.
“He has worked really hard on his conditioning over the past four weeks and of course at training he has been running the plan we have in place for this game. It is a good opportunity to give him a crack after he lost his position to Jordan before the (Springbok) tour.”
It is a good chance in more ways than just one, for the quest to make it back as the first choice Sharks flyhalf is not the only battle that Masuku should be involved in going forward - he could also be an option at national level should the situation require. And it just so happens that this is a game that could see four Bok flyhalf contenders playing.
The Stormers team will only be announced on Friday but could well feature Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu playing together in the crucial 10/12 decision making axis for the visitors. And while Hendrikse won’t be starting, he is on the bench and can expect to get game time later in the match.
Like Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hendrikse can of course also slot into the midfield if that is what is required from him, as well as fullback. He is one of just two backs on the bench, with fellow Bok halfback Grant Williams the scrumhalf cover. Williams can also play wing if required.
“Grant did not have a great week last week, in terms of getting in training on the field, and Jaden (Hendrikse) is in form after playing well for the Boks last week,” said the Sharks coach.
Masuku is not the only Siya in the Sharks team, and Plumtree drew some questions at the team announcement press conference over his decision to continue with the national captain, Siya Kolisi, at No8 rather than his regular flank position.
Kolisi did play there to good effect against Munster.
“Siya can play 6 and 8 quite comfortably, the role of No8 comes quite naturally for Siya. And it is not about just the individual but also the balance of the combination. James Venter is a real warrior, a relentless cleaner, while Vincent (Tshituka) is similar to Siya at blindside flank and has a bigger body. He’s a destructive tackler.
“I like this combination of loosies, and we have two good ones on the bench too (in Emmanuel Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi). I really like the five loosies we have in our squad. I like the fact Manu and Phepsi can come on. They all do a big job for us.”
According to Plumtree the participation of Eben Etzebeth in the game against his former franchise was in the balance until Thursday but he eventually had to withdraw because of the effects of his contribution to the winning Bok effort on the recent tour. Bongi Mbonambi, the starting Bok hooker and also an ex-Stormers, is unavailable due to a family bereavement.
TEAM: Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Kolisi (captain), Vincent Tshituka, James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Jason Jenkins, Vincent Koch, Dylan Richardson, Ox Nche. Replacements: Ethan Bester, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Trevor Nyakane, Corne Rahl, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka, Grant Williams, Jordan Hendrikse.