Neil Powell has confirmed that the Sharks will be reviewing how many Springboks are contracted as part of a drive to create a new culture at Kings Park.
The Sharks claimed just their second win of the season when they opened their Challenge Cup campaign with a bonus-point victory over a second-string Pau side on Saturday evening.
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It has been a tough return to service for head coach John Plumtree, who has had to cope without most of his star players and found his squad lacking in key departments during their World Cup-enforced absence.
Over the past two seasons, the Sharks have been without up to nine key Springboks at the same time, including Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi (now at Racing 92), Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit (now at Bath) and Ox Nche.
As part of their drive to overhaul the squad, the Sharks are reportedly now looking at recruiting players who are just below Test level, such as lock Jason Jenkins (Leinster) and loose forwards Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester) and Emmanuel Tshituka (Lions).
In an interview with Sunday newspaper Rapport, director of rugby Powell said that while having Springboks is important for big games, the number of national team players contracted at the Sharks will be looked at.
“We all also know that if you want to be successful in the knock-out rounds of major competitions, you do need Boks,” Powell told Rapport.
“We also have to look at our group if we don’t have the Boks available. This affects the amount of Boks you contract. For example, if you have 15 Boks and all of them go for national service, it becomes difficult. Then you start all over again with a team.
“If you don’t sign Springboks, you have to make sure that the players you sign are as close to that standard as possible. The Sharks are creating a new culture and environment.”
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