Plumtree confident Sharks can beat Bulls in URC semi-final without Etzebeth

SHARKS coach John Plumtree reckons his blood pressure has only recently returned to normal after the drama of a penalty shoot-out with Munster last week, and the early week injury to Eben Etzebeth won't have helped his stress levels.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

That said, Plumtree was calm and philosophical when he spoke to the media about his team’s chances of upsetting the Bulls in today's United Rugby Championship semi-final at Loftus Versfeld.

Etzebeth has been replaced by youngster Corne Rahl while Emile van Heerden comes in for another injured Springbok in Jason Jenkins.

Apart from that double blow in the second row, Plumtree has picked the same starting 15 that won the quarter-final.

Plumtree said the loss of his first-choice locks was a setback but stressed that rugby is a team sport.

"How much of a loss is Eben? He is probably the best lock in the world, so it's a big loss, but the thing is it's a team game; one person doesn't make this team and we've won games without him this year," Plumtree said.

"He got a head knock at training," explained Plumtree. "We decided that it's best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call.

"He's feeling a lot better by the way, he's been communicating with me and the team, and I'm not overly concerned about it. I'm pretty sure that if we go through, he'll be available next week."

Plumtree admitted that the injury to the in-form Jenkins had also been keenly felt.