Sharks out to end tour on a high against Munster

The Hollywoodbets Sharks take on Munster in their third tour match on Saturday and following their EPCR Challenge Cup win over Lyon and Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over Cardiff, could pull off a remarkable and enviable record on the road this Saturday.

For prop Thomas du Toit coming back to the Sharks after a lengthy stint with Bath in the UK, this is the kind of opportunity he relishes.

“My experience has been great coming back, the guys have been very welcoming and I’ve come back to what felt natural and familiar,” he explains.

“A team culture is something you build over time, working towards something good and positive that works well for the team; you can definitely see a change and that’s evident in the way we’re playing and the important thing for us is to build on that culture, add to that style of play and hopefully keep winning.”

Back-to-back victories in France and Cardiff for two wins on the trot can only build self-belief that nothing like winning does but it’s more than just the results as he points out.

“There’s a plan in place and everyone is buying into it, which gives us a lot of confidence and gives the coaches confidence in the way they are approaching the game.

“Ultimately in an 80 or 85 minute effort (against Lyon), the guys just never gave up. To come to Cardiff and get a win like that is quite special, getting the job done away from home builds a lot of confidence.

“But we have to return to normality and start from zero again as we encounter a new opportunity and challenge (against Munster).

“Everyone is excited for this week, we have a new challenge and we’re all working really hard in preparation for the game.”

What does he expect from Munster, knowing that playing them is no easy task?

“There are two special things about Munster: Limerick is a proud city and Munster are a proud rugby club with an incredibly rich rugby history.

“This unbelievable support uplifts the players quite a bit. They have die-hard supporters who sit in the stands in the wind and rain, and they continue to support their team in the tough times as well. That’s something special and the players feel a sense of responsibility to themselves, to the crowd and to the city. That must give them a lot of energy.

“As a team, they have a group of players who have been together for a long time, so there’s a lot of continuity because the majority of the squad has been together for a long time.

“That continuity is admirable and makes them a very tough opponent to deal with. We understand the challenge that lies ahead and we’re very excited for it.”

Talking challenges, the set-piece is always an area of interest and a sector of the game the Sharks pride on getting right.

“Each season you start from zero and new combinations take time, it doesn’t matter how many training sessions you have and building blocks you do, it’s about time in the saddle.

“It’s a definite focus area for us, somewhere we try to do as well as possible at but it will take time for us to get used to each other because there are so many different aspects to the scrum.

“I’m excited to play with each and every one of the guys in the pack.”

For a family man like Du Toit, touring can be tough, although he accepts that this is the sacrifice a professional rugby player must make and a means to support his family.

“It’s very difficult being away from home, I have a wife and three kids, my youngest daughter is three weeks old and I’ve only known her for a week, so it is incredibly difficult,” he admits.

“But as the head of the home, we need to provide for our families.

“Everyone has their different ‘why’; my big why is providing for my family and it’s a privilege to be able to do what we do.”

Sharks and Springbok back Ethan Hooker, who will earn his 50th cap for the Sharks, believes that his side is tracking along really well, with the coaches all delivering a game plan and identity that the squad has really bought into.

“The team is in a really good place and we’re playing some really good rugby, there’s a plan in place and everyone is just buying into it,” he admitted from the team’s base in Limerick.

“Things are starting to align and it’s really working for us.”

Hooker might only be 23 years of age, but after gaining 13 caps for the Springboks, he’s become a household name in SA rugby and now finds himself almost a senior mentor to some of the youngsters in the backline, some of them only recently out of school.

“I love playing in this backline, the guys are still young and they just have so much energy, all they want is the ball and to do magic with it. Playing in this backline elevates me to be hungry for the ball myself.

“Some of the things they can do is almost miraculous but they manage to pull it off. Sometimes they make mistakes but they’re so naturally talented that you can learn a thing or two off their basic instincts.”

Casting his eye towards Munster, he warned that it won’t be easy when the teams meet at Thomond Park in Limerick.

“It’s evident from the way they play that they love ball in hand, taking the ball through multiple phases and trying to stretch you and we know they’re a quality team.

“There’s no underestimating them, playing at home with their crowd behind them, the passion of the Irish fans and for us, this is one of our biggest games.

“Our focus is on being good on tour and picking up as many points as possible. We hold Munster in high regard, we have a lot of respect for them, but we have our systems and game plan in place and we’re going to give it everything.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 ⁠Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 ⁠Edwill van der Merwe, 13 ⁠⁠Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Jaco Williams⁠; 10 Gianni Lombard⁠, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 ⁠Nick Hatton (capt), 7 ⁠Manu Tshituka, 6 ⁠Matt Romao; 5 Emile van Heerden⁠, 4 ⁠Jason Jenkins; 3 ⁠Hanro Jacobs, 2 ⁠Ethan Bester, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 ⁠Cameron Dawson, 18 ⁠Thomas du Toit, 19 ⁠Stephan Lewies, 20 ⁠Vincent Tshituka, 21 ⁠Ivan van Zyl, 22 ⁠Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester.

SATURDAY

Munster Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA/7.30pm SA

Referee: Ben Connor (WRU, 9th league game)

AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Kevin Beakey (IRFU)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv