Plumtree eyes Bok boost, Sharks plan for showdown

SHARKS coach John Plumtree is hoping to take advantage of the timing of their next United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture - an away clash against Connacht on 29 November - which coincides with the Springboks’ northern hemisphere tour.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

“When we play Connacht next game up, obviously the Boks will still be in Ireland, so we can use players there,” Plumtree explained, after Saturday’s much-needed 29-19 victory over the Scarlets — the team’s first URC win of the season. “I think there’s a Wales Test that same weekend, so we'll just see what happens.

“A lot can happen over the next five weeks. There are going to be some challenges when we finish the November break, but we need to get a group of guys to prepare for Connacht without Springboks. I'll use Springboks if they are available and rested.”