The Sharks will face off against Edinburgh in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship (URC) clash on Friday night, with current Sharks coach JP Pietersen going up against his former mentor, Edinburgh boss Sean Everitt. Pietersen, who played under Everitt during his time at the Sharks, is well aware of Everitt’s rugby philosophy and is expecting a tough match.
Edinburgh are known for their attacking style of play, but they are also not afraid to play the territory game, according to Pietersen. “Edinburgh are very good with their kicking game, with their exits, and they’ve got a solid pack with Pierre Schoeman anchoring in the front row,” he said. “They like to be physical, and they’ve got a good maul, so when they get into the 22, they can convert it into points.”
Sharks Team Changes
Pietersen has made minimal changes to the Sharks team, with Makazole Mapimpi replacing the injured Ethan Hooker, André Esterhuizen moving to outside centre for injured Le Roux Malan, and Siya Masuku coming into the side at 12 for Esterhuizen. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will also make his comeback from a calf injury from the bench in what will be his 50th match for the Sharks.
The Sharks are looking to bounce back from their frustrating 21-17 loss to Ospreys, which was marked by missed opportunities and a controversial call for uncontested scrums. Pietersen is confident that his team has learned from their mistakes and is ready to take on Edinburgh. “We don’t want to do any reshuffling or move players around too much,” he said. “We want to keep the same combinations, which is why we stuck with what we finished with against the Ospreys.”
Key Players to Watch
- Makazole Mapimpi: The Sharks winger is known for his speed and agility, and will be looking to make an impact against Edinburgh.
- Siya Kolisi: The Springbok captain will be making his comeback from a calf injury and will be eager to make a statement.
- Pierre Schoeman: The Edinburgh prop is a key player for the Scottish team and will be looking to make a big impact in the set pieces.
The Sharks will be looking to use their knowledge of Edinburgh’s playing style to their advantage, according to Pietersen. “We know they’re going to try and move us around and maybe put the ball in behind to turn us,” he said. “That will be one of the key factors.” For more information on the United Rugby Championship, visit the official Pro14 website.</p)
