John Plumtree on Sharks' form: When Boks are playing, we are a very strong side

John Plumtree on Sharks' form: When Boks are playing, we are a very strong side

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has praised his team's recent form but emphasized the importance of being realistic about their reliance on Springbok players.

The men from Durban have shot up the table from bottom spot to ninth after back-to-back wins over former champions Glasgow Warriors and Munster at Kings Park.

The Sharks' latest win over the Irish outfit was a comfortable 41-24 success as their United Rugby Championship title hopes were given a shot in the arm on Saturday.

Included in their starting line-up over recent weeks have been a plethora of Springboks and they have made a significant impact under the captaincy of Eben Etzebeth.

Joining the South Africa second-row in their pack has been the likes of prop duo Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Springbok star Siya Kolisi.

It's not just up front where they are oozing Test class as scrum-halves Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams, centres Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am, wing Makazole Mapimpi and full-back Aphelele Fassi have also been in outstanding form in the most recent two games, with successive victories catapulting them up the table.

Plumtree has kept a lid on the expectations of the group, however, as he warns that the Sharks will not be able to call upon such talent week on week in the tournament.

"The reality is when we are at full strength, we are a very strong side and that is what you need to do well in this competition," he said.

"Leinster have had their strongest team out for how many weeks and we haven't, so I think everyone needs to cut us a little bit of slack.

"Yes, I want to win all the time, but the reality is we are not going to be a full-strength Sharks side all the time. We can win without the Boks, but it's hard to win without all of them."

The Sharks, like the rest of their competition rivals, will now take a month-long break before their next game, which will see them host the Stormers on November 30.

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