On-loan Bull brings ‘calm head’ to Sharks

Coach John Plumtree expects Henry Immelman’s experience to benefit the Sharks in their rematch against the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday.

With Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi and flyhalf Siya Masuku both injured, Plumtree has been forced to move Jordan Hendrikse to 10 and give Immelman a debut at 15.

Immelman joined the Sharks on-loan from the Bulls two weeks ago, having made just two appearances for them this season, in October and January.

Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni is also in Durban but not required for Saturday’s match with a fit-again Fez Mbatha named on the bench.

“It highlights the number of injuries we’ve had,” Plumtree said on Friday. “We have a squad of 46 or 47 players yet we still have to go outside of it to get other players.

“It highlights the length of the season and how deep you have to go into each position to make sure you have cover. We have five locks on our books and still had to get another one in Deon Slabbert [from the Pumas]. It’s a brutally long season.”

Plumtree admitted it would be difficult for the 29-year-old to just slot in at this stage of the season but that the experience he had gained during a five-year stint at French club Montpellier and then with Edinburgh in Scotland would be invaluable.

“Henry had prep last week for the Lions game, just to get used to everything, and then this week, we’ve obviously had to pick him,” Plumtree said. “So he’s had a couple of weeks here and got to know a few of the boys.

“He brings a wealth of experience and a calm head. Will he make mistakes? Yes, he possibly will, but at the end of the day, we’re backing him and we really believe he can do a good job for us.”

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The Sharks were hammered 38-14 by the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend, but have a chance not just to gain revenge in front of their fans but also lift the SA Shield for the first time.

Plumtree said it would “mean a lot” for his side.

“You don’t get many second chances in life and it will be great if we take it,” he added. “But we’ve got 80 minutes to get through against a side that’s playing with a lot of confidence and belief in what they do.

“We know we will have to earn it. We clearly weren’t in the right space to do that last weekend and we’ve got to make sure we’re in the right space mentally and physically, to earn the right to hold up that Shield. Otherwise the Stormers will be doing it at some stage.”

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