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Johannesburg - The loss of Jean Deysel to suspension is a blow to the Sharks for their crucial Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, but it should not have a major impact on their preparations as coach John Plumtree appeared to anticipate that there would be a sanction.
"We thought the yellow card might help Jean's case but we were realistic about it and accepted there was a good chance there would be some kind of sanction and that we might have to play without him," said Plumtree on Tuesday.
Deysel was suspended for two weeks on Tuesday by a SANZAR disciplinary committee for dangerously cleaning out a Waratahs opponent at a loose scrum. It means Deysel will also miss the Lions match in Johannesburg that follows the clash in Bloemfontein.
The Sharks will feel Deysel's absence as he is the type of player needed in a tough derby. However, they do have a player who is more than capable of playing the role Deysel did so impressively against the Waratahs in the form of Willem Alberts.
The Sharks have also been boosted by the return to fitness of regular No8 Ryan Kankowski, who has been out of action since the bruising derby against the Stormers in Cape Town the week after Easter. Still on the sidelines though are Odwa Ndungane and Adi Jacobs, with the latter facing a fitness test before he can be considered available for the Cheetahs match.
"We have three weeks to go until the play-offs and this is the time to manage the players carefully and ensure that they are kept fresh," said Plumtree.
The coach said that recent results such as the Lions' shock win over the Highlanders meant that it was now probable that his team could win two of their remaining three matches to qualify for the play-offs. They play the Bulls in Pretoria the week after the game against the Lions.
"It's not really about a particular number of log points we are aiming at, but we have figured out more or less what needs to be done and it was communicated to the players yesterday (Monday)," said Plumtree.
"Teams in contention are playing one another, and if the Bulls beat the Waratahs this weekend that should just about knock them out. It will be the same with the Highlanders if they lose their next game.
"The thing is you just never know what might happen, so I think it is important for us to try and control what we can control and not leave anything to chance. And that means we must try and win every game from here on. We have noted that the best teams in the competition seem to be lifting their performance levels in the build-up to the play-offs, and we must try and do the same so we can keep with them.
"We know it is going to be tough because we have three derby matches to come and I can guarantee you that our derby against the Cheetahs will be 25% more physical than the match against the Waratahs last weekend. I am not a big fan of the double round of derby fixtures."
Plumtree said the chances were good that three local teams would make it into the play-offs which he considered "a good performance from South Africa in the first year of this format."
