2025 Mar 14, 13:31
Stormers hooker Scarra Ntubeni is anticipating a fierce encounter when his former teammate Eben Etzebeth faces off against his team, the Sharks, this weekend at DHL Stadium. Having played 61 times for the Cape Town side before moving to France and then returning to South Africa with the Sharks, Etzebeth has a rich history with Western Province. This will be the first time Ntubeni has played against Etzebeth, and while he believes his former teammate has nothing to prove, he knows Etzebeth's competitive nature will drive him to perform at his best. The hooker expects the Sharks to dig into Etzebeth's time at the Stormers, gathering information about players like Ntubeni and Neethling Fouche
While Ntubeni acknowledges the challenge of facing Etzebeth, he is excited about the fight that awaits on Saturday. Although the Sharks have had a difficult season, with only one win from seven games, Stormers defence coach Norman Laker is not taking them lightly. Laker points out the wealth of experience in the Sharks team and believes that if everything falls into place for them, they can be a formidable opponent. He credits their struggles to adjusting to a new game model under coach John Plumtree and expects them to find their feet eventually
Laker emphasizes the importance of not underestimating any team in the competition, given its unpredictable nature. On the other hand, the Stormers have had a good run recently, with victories against La Rochelle and the Bulls. These wins have given the team a boost after a slow start to the season, and they are eager to continue their winning streak. In conclusion, the clash between the Stormers and the Sharks promises to be a thrilling and highly competitive encounter, with both teams eager to secure victory.