The Sharks close out a gruelling yet rewarding three-week European tour on Saturday when they face Munster at the cauldron of Thomond Park, with Ethan Hooker marking his 50th appearance for the franchise and Nick Hatton leading the troops in what promises to be a proper Test of character. After navigating France, Wales and now Ireland, the Durban outfit are desperate to sign off with a victory that cements their credentials as genuine URC contenders.
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Hooker, who will earn his half-century at just 23 years of age, believes the Sharks are hitting their stride. The Springbok back, capped 13 times already for his country, insists the game plan and identity crafted by the coaching staff have resonated deeply within the squad.
“The team is in a really good place and we’re playing some really good rugby, there’s a plan in place and everyone is just buying into it,” Hooker said from the team’s Limerick base. “Things are starting to align and it’s really working for us.”
It’s a bullish assessment from a player who’s become a household name in South African rugby despite his tender years. But Hooker isn’t just delivering on the field, he’s evolved into a senior mentor for a backline brimming with precocious talent, some of them barely out of school blazers.
Youth and exuberance
Playing alongside teenagers with frightening skill sets has injected fresh energy into Hooker’s game, and he’s loving every minute of it.
“I love playing in this backline, the guys are still young and they just have so much energy, all they want is the ball and to do magic with it,” he gushed. “Playing in this backline elevates me to be hungry for the ball myself.
“Some of the things they can do is almost miraculous but they manage to pull it off. Sometimes they make mistakes but they’re so naturally talented that you can learn a thing or two off their basic instincts.”
That blend of youthful exuberance and growing experience could prove lethal as the Sharks hit their straps.
Munster won’t roll over
Hooker isn’t naive about Saturday’s challenge. Thomond Park is a fortress, Munster’s passionate support creates an atmosphere few venues can match, and the Irish province will be desperate to bounce back from recent setbacks.
“It’s evident from the way they play that they love ball in hand, taking the ball through multiple phases and trying to stretch you and we know they’re a quality team,” Hooker warned.
“There’s no underestimating them, playing at home with their crowd behind them, the passion of the Irish fans and for us, this is one of our biggest games. Our focus is on being good on tour and picking up as many points as possible. We hold Munster in high regard, we have a lot of respect for them, but we have our systems and game plan in place and we’re going to give it everything.”
It’s the sort of measured respect you’d expect from a player who’s been around international rugby long enough to know bulletin board material when he hears it. Hooker rates Munster highly, but he backs his side to deliver when it counts.
Hatton leads experienced outfit
Nick Hatton will captain a side featuring plenty of grunt and experience. Ox Nché anchors the scrum at loosehead, with Ethan Bester at hooker and Hanro Jacobs completing the front row. Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden provide the engine room muscle, whilst the back row of Matt Romao, Manu Tshituka and Hatton offers genuine ball-carrying and breakdown threat.
Behind the scrum, Jaden Hendrikse and Gianni Lombard will control proceedings, with Hooker partnering Suleiman Hartzenberg in midfield. Edwill van der Merwe and Jaco Williams occupy the wings, whilst the electric Zekhethelo Siyaya starts at fullback.
The bench features impact in the shape of Vincent Tshituka, Thomas du Toit and Ivan van Zyl, game-changers capable of swinging momentum in the final quarter.
The Sharks want to finish this tour with a flourish. Munster have other ideas. Thomond Park won’t give an inch, the Sharks will have to take it.
Sharks team to face Munster:
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Ethan Bester, 1 Ox Nché.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester.
