Hollywoodbets Sharks eighthman Phepsi Buthelezi insists his side are fully focused on their URC matchup against Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday ahead of next week’s massive Challenge Cup semi-final.
The 24-year-old DHS old boy has made it clear that, despite much of the media and fans’ attention having already turned to that almighty showdown with Clermont Auvergne at The Stoop, all eyes are on this week’s battle.
“For us this week, the challenge is our URC game against the Scarlets. The last time we played Scarlets here we didn’t get a result against them, so in camp right now we are 100% focused.”
Last season, the Durbanites fell to a disappointing 20-32 defeat at Parc y Scarlets. Buthelezi insinuated that the squad is using that result as a catalyst for a big performance this week, while remaining wary of the experience within the Welsh club.
𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 🏉
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 23, 2024
An exceptional try as Phepsi Buthelezi finishes what he started 💪
💻 Stream Vodacom #URC live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/qU55SfwWjm
“They are a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. They’ve got really good forwards, we know [lock] Sam Louisi, [utility forward] Vaea Fifita, guys that obviously have been around for a really long time. I think they’ve got a really good kicking game and they’re a team that is really well coached.
“They’ve been unlucky a couple of times with the results that they’ve gotten, and I know [Friday night] is going to be a nice challenge for us. We’ve got a score to settle down here.”
Scarlets are 14th and head into this clash following an 18-43 loss at Edinburgh, while the 13th-placed Sharks are looking to rebound from their 10-21 loss at Glasgow. With four straight wins preceding that result however, Phepsi says the vibe within the camp is still at a high.
“The past few weeks have been really positive for us. Once you start getting the results that you’re looking for, it makes everything easier. The belief has grown in the group. So we’re in a very good place.
“But having said that, we know that we haven’t achieved anything, we haven’t gotten any silverware. So each week that comes we just take it in our stride and we build towards being a Sharks team that is really feared.”
