Plumtree looks to mould a ‘Kolisi’ out of Buthelezi

• Published date: 27 April 2024
• Author: Mike Greenaway mike.greenaway@inl.co.za
• Publication title: Independent on Saturday

Kolisi is a one-man bonfire that spreads a warm glow across the country. If he stood in the May 29 elections under the banner of his humanitarian Kolisi Foundation, he would be our next president

So when Sharks coach John Plumtree mentions Buthelezi in the same sentence as the Springbok captain, it is more about playing style and the position the youngster should adopt to propel his career the farthest.

Buthelezi has been playing most of his rugby at No 8, but Plumtree is toying with making him an openside flank, the position Kolisi played at the Sharks and in 83 Tests for South Africa.

“I think Phepsi could develop into a pretty good six in the Siya Kolisi-type mould,“ the coach said this week from Llanelli, ahead of last night’s game against the Scarlets.

“He’s a big, strong boy, pretty relentless around the park, so he’s got a good work rate. He must improve his skill set around poaching the ball and turning over possession, but he’s obviously a lineout option too.

“He’s had a good season and proved to me that he’s very resilient with the number of games that he’s played.”

Plumtree played flank for Natal in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and was part of the fairytale Currie Cup final defeat of the Bulls in 1990, so loose-forward play is his area of expertise.

An example of that is his son Taine, who played against the Sharks last night for the Scarlets and has attributed his selection to the Wales team to his father’s tips.

It is probably Buthelezi’s physical dimensions that have Plumtree thinking he should go the fetcher route, especially if Buthelezi has international ambitions, which he certainly does.

Buthelezi is 1.88m and 103kg, not far off Kolisi’s size. That is too small these days for blindside flank, where mobile...