Sharks held talks with Rassie ahead of All Blacks meeting

Sharks coach JP Pietersen says he has been in contact with the Springboks management team before his side’s Greatest Rivalry tour meeting with the All Blacks in Durban on Tuesday.

The Sharks are preparing for the United Rugby Championship, which begins in September, but will face New Zealand in a high-profile fixture at 19:00 on Tuesday.

Pietersen confirmed that discussions had taken place with Springboks head coach Rassie and assistant coach Felix Jones ahead of the match. Those conversations helped inform the inclusion of Vusi Moyo, who will start for the franchise after earning a cap for South Africa against Wales in the Nations Championship.

Another player with recent Springboks involvement, Vincent Tshituka, was due to provide cover from the bench. However, he has been withdrawn after suffering concussion.

Pietersen said the Sharks had been exchanging information with the Springboks’ coaching group, including details about the All Blacks and the franchise’s players.

“I think Rassie’s got a lot on his plate,” Pietersen told reporters on Monday.

“There’s been chats with Rassie. That’s why we obviously got Vusi [Moyo] in our team. So we obviously have been talking with Rassie and Felix Jones [Springbok assistant coach].

“There’s always been chats about players and obviously what we kind of expect from the All Blacks.

“So obviously after the game, if we can share anything, we’re more than welcome to share with Rassie or Felix and the management team where we can help for South Africa and the Springboks.”

Moyo’s selection gives him the opportunity to face New Zealand after his appearance against Wales in the Nations Championship. Tshituka’s absence means he will not take part from the replacements, despite having been included in the Nations Championship squad.

The fixture forms part of New Zealand’s Greatest Rivalry tour and gives the Sharks a chance to test themselves against the All Blacks before turning their attention fully to the United Rugby Championship campaign.

Pietersen was speaking on Monday as he prepared for the match, with the Sharks using the occasion to assess their squad against international opposition. His comments also highlighted the ongoing contact between the franchise and the Springboks’ coaching staff over players and preparations for the All Blacks.

The match in Durban will kick off at 19:00 on Tuesday.

KickOff Rugby will provide live updates during the game, followed by a full match report.