Siya Kolisi of the Sharks. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
COMMENT
The Sharks have long been powerhouses in South African rugby, and boast some of the most formidable players in the world.
With numerous Springboks scattered throughout the squad, they have so much potential as a team... SA’s Galacticos if you want to call it that.
From Springbok stars like captain Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am and Eben Etzebeth – although the lock has been out for a while with concussion – the list of international players is long.
Those mentioned above have won two consecutive Rugby World Cups.
They even recently raided the Lions again, managing to wrestle the experienced wing Edwill van der Merwe from Ellis Park and luring him to the Shark Tank.
He follows in the footsteps of flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and the Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Manu.
Yet, despite the recruiting off the field, some things are going horribly wrong between the four white lines with this star-studded line-up.
While they are still in the fight in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Challenge Cup – a trophy they are defending – the questions are coming thick and fast over why they are under-performing like this.
That talent is not translating into results on the field, and they haven’t been able to achieve consistent success with that expensive roster.
It’s not far-fetched to say that a team with that many established stars – including key Boks – should be at the top of the URC standings.
Yes, they’ve had their fair share of crippling injuries this season, but they looked in better form earlier than what the case is at the moment.
Recently, they lost to an erratic Lions side, and under-performed in the victory over Zebre two weeks ago.
That display was surpassed when they fell to Leinster’s so-called ‘B’ team last weekend.
That was a diabolical performance, and they should not be losing with all those quality players at their disposal.
The main problem is that there seems to be no cohesiveness in the team when they are out on the pitch.
They have plenty of leaders, so it can’t be a lack of leadership.
Kolisi, Etzebeth, Mbonambi and Am are all vastly experienced, so having calm heads on the field is not something that they are missing.
But that togetherness and playing for each other looks like it’s not there.
And rugby is a team sport, where players must play for each other.
Talent can only take you that far. They lack that tactical coherence and team chemistry.
Simply put, those are things that money can’t buy.
How the Sharks will fix their inconsistencies remains to be seen, but they can start this weekend when they take on Lyon in the Challenge Cup on Sunday evening (6.30pm kick-off).
They are the defending champions, but haven’t really been playing like they are.
A big statement is needed from them, and should they make one in France, it could spark the rest of their season so they can challenge for two cups – defending their European crown and making a bid for the URC title.
They have the player base available to do that, but whether they have the plans in place remains to be seen.