It is known that the Bulls made a strong pitch for the services of the coming-off-contract Grant Williams, but the scrumhalf has decided to stay in Durban.
THE SHARKS lost the war on the pitch at Loftus Versfeld last week, but they have won a decisive battle off it.
It is known that the Bulls made a strong pitch for the services of the coming-off-contract Grant Williams, but the scrumhalf has decided to stay in Durban and has re-signed, according to Sharks owner Marco Masotti.
World Cup winner Williams would have been tempted to go to Pretoria in search of more game time because he plays a lot off the bench behind Jaden Hendrikse at the Sharks.
In another Bulls-Sharks twist, centre Wandisile Simelane recently completed a trial training period at the Sharks – and it looked like he might make Kings Park his new home.
But the Sharks and the Bulls could not agree to a deal, and he has returned to Loftus.
A confirmed new arrival at Kings Park is Kiwi prop Joel Hintz. He joins the Sharks as cover for injured Bok tighthead Vincent Koch.
Koch signed for the Sharks some time ago, but returned from the World Cup with a serious injury.
Sharks coach John Plumtree knew of Hintz from his time with provincial side Hawkes Bay, which is the catchment area of the Hurricanes, the Super Rugby team that Plumtree used to coach.
Hintz comes to the Sharks via a stint with a US team, the New England Free Jacks.
The Sharks host the Top 14 team Section Paloise, better known as Pau, who are currently in fourth place in the French top flight, in an EPCR Challenge Cup clash (5.15pm kick-off).
Off the field this week, the Sharks have been keeping themselves firmly behind the Kings Park parapets.
It is no doubt a week of deep introspection as they lick their wounds from their defeat by the Bulls and then ready themselves for a big response on Saturday.
Last Saturday, with the pain of the 44-10 defeat etched on his face, Plumtree said that his players needed to start their week by “looking in the mirror”, while he also promised an “ugly” review of the game (on Monday).
And once in the right mindset, this week will have been about fixing some fundamental issues exposed by the Bulls.
“When you take 40 points like that, you’ve let a lot of people down, so the players need to look at how we’re going to respond,” Plumtree said.
“Pau are top of the French Top 14, so we’re going to have to improve our set pieces, and then we can build from there.”
The line-out approximated a disaster and starting hooker Fez Mbatha was subbed after half an hour following his 21st-minute yellow card. He was replaced by Dan Jooste.
“Emile van Heerden was a late withdrawal, and his height was missed,” the coach said.
“We’ve got Corné Rahl, but he is more of a four in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, and we missed a middle-of-the-line-out jumper.
“Our line-out suffered because of that, and when we did win ball, it was wobbly and didn’t help us launch.
“I don’t know what happened to our scrum, but it seemed to be multiple collapses. Our set pieces just didn’t function.
“When that happens, it affects the attacking game, which we saw function very well at the start.
“We also conceded some soft tries, and it looked like we had rusty rugby players – and not just the ones I’ve had, but the ones (Springboks) that have come back from France.”