While Hollywoodbets Sharks coach John Plumtree was delighted with how his side clinched the win over the Blue Bulls on Saturday without key players, he has confirmed that Siya Kolisi might be back against the Stormers next weekend. 

Kolisi was pulled out of the squad on Thursday having suffered a calf injury, which led to be replaced by Nick Hatton at number 8. 

Despite that, the Durban side registered their fourth consecutive home victory in the United Rugby Championship defeating Jake White’s side 20-17 in an enthralling clash in Durban.

A tightly contested encounter that was decided on set-piece brilliance saw the Sharks move up to fourth position on the table with 23 points. 

Reflecting on his team’s performance, the head coach attributed his victory to a few critical moments that turned the game in their favour.

“There were moments in the game where little things happened, and they turned the table for us. I am proud because that was probably our biggest win without the majority of our Springboks, particularly our backs,” said the Sharks gaffer. 

The Challenge Cup defending champions approached Saturday’s encounter without the service of a number of Springbok forwards including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and eight other players who were out through injuries. 

However, having managed to confront a rampant Bulls side and come out tops and beat them for the first time in two years, Plumtree lauded the responsibility assumed by one of his experienced servants in Ox Nche. 

“You can’t take away Ox’s influence amongst the pack you know especially the young fellows. He just kept encouraging them, and losing Ethan {Hooker} was a blow because he was playing quite well. He was tackling well and I think he was our fourth or fifth hooker,” expressed the 59-year-old former All-Black.

Challenging fixtures are however growing in concurrent fashion with the Sharks injury situation as they now look to visit the DHL Stormers for a return URC fixture.

In a worrisome light, the New Zealand man shared that he hopes to see a few names written off the injury list ahead of their testing encounter against John Bobson this Saturday. 

“We are getting some fit bodies back next week hopefully. I am not sure right now who they will be but hopefully, Siya will be back in the frame next week. Yeah, look Emile Van Heerden, hopefully Dylan Richardson, Ethan {Hooker}, we saw he will be out now with a concussion. Two hookers, so yeah, it’s going to be just to see whose available.”

He further shared, “Get the team named, that’s my job. So going down there to beat the Stormers in Cape Town is not an easy task.”

Unlike the previous season, the Durban-based side has managed to maintain a run of positive results despite injury concerns as they currently sit in a better position on the URC standings compared to the same time last season.