The Sharks might already have made history in Europe after becoming the first SA rugby side to reach the quarterfinals and semis of an EPCR competition, but scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse believes they have the potential to go one step further and win the Challenge Cup final against Gloucester in London on Friday.
It will be the Sharks’ fifth international final after the Super Rugby finals in 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2012 but the bad news is they will be without two of their key players.
Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell gave updates on injuries on Tuesday, saying captain Lukhanyo Am would be absent from the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to a rib injury.
On top of that, the Sharks will miss Hendrikse, who is recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered against the Scarlets in Llanelli in April.
Double World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth and prop Vincent Koch have recovered from neck and ankle injuries respectively sustained in the Benetton game and are ready to go.
The Sharks are expected to rely on Francois Venter and Ethan Hooker in the midfield, with Siya Masuku at flyhalf.
Grant Williams is likely to start at scrumhalf, with Werner Kok and Makazole Mapimpi on the wings.
Aphelele Fassie is set to don the No 15 jersey.
“It means a lot to the boys and the organisation. The guys know what is at stake. I believe they will have the necessary firepower against Gloucester,” 2023 World Cup winner Hendrikse said.
The Sharks have blown hot and cold this season.
Securing victory in the Challenge Cup will allow the Sharks to return to the Champions Cup after failing to qualify through the United Rugby Championship (URC), where they had a forgettable season.
“The first six, seven games of the season, it was just that we were not lucky,” Hendrikse said. “We lost by three, four points, small points [differences],” Hendrikse said.
Hendrikse spoke highly of Masuku’s influence during the season.
Masuku’s contribution has been especially significant in the Challenge Cup.
He delivered an exceptional performance in the Challenge Cup semifinals, scoring 22 points to lead the Sharks to victory over Clermont at Twickenham and secure a spot in the final.
In that, Masuku demonstrated his skills, not only in his kicking but producing impressive offloads and cross-kicks during open play.
“We get along nicely. He is a quiet guy but does his thing on the field well. He understands his rugby,” Hendrikse said.
“He knows how to identify space and how to manage the game; he is a good player in knowing when to play or when to kick.”
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