Watch VideoSpringbok reinforcements incoming: JP Pietersen welcomes back stars after Sharks’ discipline blowout against Lions

JP Pietersen admits the Sharks lacked leadership in their Ellis Park defeat, but the cavalry is coming. With Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, and Andre Esterhuizen set to return, can they stop a red-hot Bulls side in Pretoria? Photo: Backpagepix Perhaps the most significant thing Sharks coachJP Pietersensaid at his post-match press conference afterlosing 34-22 to the Lions at Ellis Parkwere his very last words.

“Yes, our Springbok players will be back for the Bulls this week,” he said, before trailing off to the change room. The significance is that Pietersen had just learned the hard way that the Sharks are a different team without their key Springboks. It is something John Plumtree had to live with for large chunks of the seasons.

While the number of Springbok players rested for the weekend’s match was not excessive, it is the calibre of player that is crucial. Andre Esterhuizen is a giant not just in body but in his leadership; Ox Nche is one of the best props in the world; Siya Kolisi is a worldwide legend and has a huge presence in games; Grant Williams is one of the game’s most lethal attackers, as is Ethan Hooker. Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi could also have helped steady the ship.

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Those players are hugely influential. I am not saying the Sharks definitely would have won had that group played, but the team would have had better direction, and discipline would have been better. I wonder if Jaden Hendrikse would have dived into a ruck to kill the ball if Esterhuizen and Kolsisi were nearby, and if he had, he would have got a good ticking off — while the scrumhalf was in the sin bin, the Lions scored 14 points.

Pietersen admitted that leadership had been an issue without the aforementioned Boks. “The other individuals need to step up,” Pietersen said. “Some of them are in transition and learning to become leaders, but that’s part of the process.

But in general, the performance was poor. We did some good stuff, but we couldn’t back it up.” Pietersen said that while the yellow card was costly, there was much more to the defeat.

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