Plum tips Phepsi as the next Kolisi

25/04/2024 15:34

John Plumtree believes Phepsi Buthelezi could develop into a No 6 in the mould of Siya Kolisi, after selecting the versatile loose forward at openside flanker against Scarlets.

After a week's break, Plumtree has brought back a host of experienced players for the Vodacom URC clash at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday. Lukhanyo Am will lead a Springbok-laden lineup, minus regulars Bongi Mbonambi and James Venter, who both only arrived in Wales on Thursday.

Buthelezi packs down in the back row with blindside flanker Lappies Labuschagne and Vincent Tshituka at 8. The former Junior Springbok skipper will start his second match at six for the Sharks this season, having featured prominently on the other side of the scrum and as an eighthman in all competitions.

A tireless worker, Kolisi marries athleticism with explosiveness in the carry, linking with the backline like a No 8 and taking care of the attacking breakdown, and speaking in a Sharks conference, Plumtree reckons Buthelezi has similar attributes to the two-time World Cup-winning Bok captain.

"I think Phepsi could develop into a pretty good six, in the Siya Kolisi type mould. He's pretty relentless around the park so he has a good work rate," he told reporters.

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"His skill set around just poaching the ball and turning possession over he's going to have to improve on and get better at, but he's obviously a lineout option as well.

"Phepsi has had a good season and he's proven to me that he's pretty resilient with the amount of games that he has played. I'm not saying he's going to be a six, seven and eight, but I’d certainly like him to be able to play in both positions."

The Durbanites travelled to Wales on the back of a defeat at the Glasgow Warriors and with one eye on next week's historic Challenge Cup playoff in London, Plumtree highlighted the key focus areas for his charges.

"Just that our set piece functions really well, we know how important that is over the next few weeks," he said. "Close to our line I'm hoping our defence functions tomorrow night, and we're disciplined in areas that are really important in the modern game.

"We're going to get some nice attacking moments but really it's around our defence, our set piece and our discipline; we get those few bits right we know we'll be pretty tough to beat."

There will also be a special father and son reunion in Llanelli as John and loose forward Taine Plumtree find themselves in opposing camps.

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Addressing the family battle, the Kiwi tactician explained, "As long as he's safe at the end of it and not injured, he's just come back from a long injury and it's only his second game back.

"To be honest, it's not a game I was really looking forward to… I haven’t been in this situation before as a father, with his son on the opposition side.

"I'm looking forward to the game coming and going and hopefully having a win. He's already fired a few shots in the press, saying if he beats the Sharks he'll get to sit at the head of the table … not while I'm alive!

"He also said he was better than me as a player, which I had a giggle about because he never saw me play as a player. I have taught him a lot so maybe the master has taught the student to be better, which is great."

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images

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