The Sharks will dive into the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup on Saturday on a three-match hot streak, and Phepsi Buthelezi has lauded Springbok veterans for the team’s impressive recovery from a slow start this season.
On the back of winning the EPCR Challenge Cup and Currie Cup, the Sharks started their Vodacom URC campaign with a 1-2 record on tour, including a narrow victory against the Dragons in Cardiff and losses at Connacht and Benetton.
The Sharks have since gone unbeaten in three matches against defending champions Glasgow Warriors, Munster and the Stormers. This streak will stand them in good stead when they host Exeter Chiefs at Kings Park on Saturday, and Buthelezi says the fallout of the loss at Benetton led to a watershed moment for the Sharks.
“After our disappointing loss in our last game on tour to Benetton, some of the players that were a part of the Bok setup came back (from Rugby Championship duty) and we all sat down and had an honest conversation,” said Buthelezi.
“We discussed what we wanted to achieve this season and asked ourselves what it we stand for as a team and what it means to play for the Sharks. Our focus is on how can we push our standards, make each other better and leave the jersey in a better place than where we found it, and that’s credit to the great leaders in our squad.”
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Buthelezi is eager to contribute to a Sharks victory against Exeter on Saturday, and his contribution is likely to be off the bench as the competition for places in the Sharks back row has never been tighter, given the presence of Bok captain Siya Kolisi and the arrival of Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka.
“We take the same mindset as the Boks with the bomb squad,” Buthelezi answered when asked about making an impact as a replacement. “It’s something we are really proud of, if you are on the bench you have to make an impact at the most important part of the game, you need to finish it strong. When you step onto the field wearing the Sharks jersey you just give it your all, that is our message going into games.”
Buthelezi says the Sharks are weary of facing a team that can only improve, as Exeter Chiefs come into the game on the back of seven consecutive losses in the English Premiership.
“Exeter are a quality side, we have been analysing them in preparation and I can say they are a great team who want to play with ball in hand,” he said. “They are a well coached team with quality players, so for us we aren’t paying attention to their past results. This is a must-win game for us. We take a lot of confidence from our form in the URC, but we have to translate our performances into this competition.”
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