The South African national team's low forward, Phepsi Buthelezi, expressed support for the new attacking coach of the Sharks, Scott Mathe, believing that he will help unlock the team's huge potential before the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
Buthelezi believes that the return of Scott Mathe, who previously coached at Durban High School, has brought a new burst of energy to the Sharks' attacking line. Mathe joined the coaching staff of JP Pietersen and was tasked with increasing the fluidity and unpredictability of the team's attacks.
For Buthelezi, Mathe's arrival is particularly significant because Mathe coached this player in recent years at DHS. Buthelezi, who was named URC Player of the Season, top scorer, and Player of the Year nominee for the Sharks, noted that it is a kind of 'full circle moment.'
Buthelezi is confident that Mathe has already made an impact during extensive pre-season training and expects Sharks fans to see a bolder approach when the URC begins. He emphasized that Mathe has 'brought excitement back to our attack,' promising a more flexible and calculated style of play that will keep opponents guessing about what will be done.
Domestic Rugby
This transition is significant for the Sharks, who failed to reach the URC quarter-finals last season and acknowledged the need to improve their stability and attacking efficiency. Buthelezi believes that the foundations for such improvement were laid during what he called one of the best Sharks pre-seasons in recent years.
The 27-year-old player stated that the preparation went very well, and the team eagerly awaits the challenges against the Lions, who showed excellent play against the All Blacks. Buthelezi noted that a major advantage of this preparation was the decision to keep the URC squad unified while a separate group participated in the Currie Cup. This allowed the URC Sharks players more time to focus on Pietersen's game plan without disruptions caused by constant movement between squads.
Individual Development
The preparation began with a strong focus on individual development, including medical examinations and physical fitness testing, before moving on to team structures and working on specific game situations. Buthelezi explained that the initial goal was to improve individual players, as this ultimately affects the team.
The Sharks also benefited from JP Pietersen spending the entire pre-season with the team after taking over mid-last season. Buthelezi highly praised the coach's work, noting that he brought 'a very good atmosphere and energy' and clearly conveyed his plans. The team also held a joint camp near Hluhluwe, which, in Buthelezi's opinion, strengthened bonds within the squad.
New Zealander Ma'a Nonu made a significant impression on the Sharks players during his short stay in Durban. Buthelezi specifically highlighted Nonu's humility and hard work. He recounted that Nonu arrives at the stadium early in the morning to work with young players, especially young midfielders, and also assists forwards. Buthelezi admitted that Nonu's arrival was initially daunting, given that he grew up watching the New Zealander on television, but noted that Nonu turned out to be very open and helpful to the group.
Starting the Campaign with Two Home Games
The Sharks now have two home games to start their URC campaign: a match against the Ospreys at Kings Park on September 26th, followed by a game against Leinster. Buthelezi believes that the change in format, where the team starts its campaign at home, could be hugely significant, as they often started campaigns away. He stressed that the team has always struggled with a strong start, and this is a topic of much discussion within the club.
The Sharks understand that they cannot afford a slow start. Buthelezi concluded that these first two home matches are crucial, and they will need the support of the Durban residents to become the sixteenth player, as they are very keen to win these two important games.
