Sharks eyes fully on Scarlets, insists Buthelezi

MANY will be sceptical, but Sharks No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi says next Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne has not been discussed in the build-up to tomorrow night’s United Rugby Championship match against the Scarlets (8.35pm kick-off, SA time).

It is a fixture at the Parc y Scarlets stadium in Llanelli that has no consequence for the URC log (the Sharks are 13th and the Scarlets 14th), but next week in London, the Durbanites have a massive opportunity to win through to the final of a European tournament.

The Sharks need to take momentum and form into that game, but maybe Buthelezi has a point when he says that they cannot afford to take their eyes off what is directly in front of them.

If they lose to the Scarlets, it would be a disaster for team morale.

“We have our eyes fully on the Scarlets … There is no talk of the Cup,” he said.

“The last time we played here (11 months ago), we lost (32-20) at this same stadium. We remember how difficult it was… We would never underestimate them. They are getting our full attention. Our only focus is on performing well against these guys and executing our game plan efficiently.

“They will be determined to put another one over us.”

Naturally, Buthelezi was asked about the likelihood that he would be marking coach John Plumtree’s son Taine, but he met the question with a straight bat.

“When we go into a game, it is never with a pre-discussion about marking certain individuals,” he said.

Last week, an experimental Sharks team lost 21-10 with honour to a fullstrength Glasgow Warriors side.

“The belief has grown among the group, but we understand we have not won any silverware. We want to improve game by game, and grow into a Sharks team that is feared.

“The Glasgow game was positive for us. We ended up a bit unfortunate not to get the result, but it was nice to give other guys a run, and some of them put their hands up,” the 24-yearold continued. “Ultimately, we are in a very good space.”