Exclusive: Sharks Star James Venter Eyes 80-Minute Statement Win as URC Knockouts Loom

The Scarlets, who produced an inspired display to win handsomely in Johannesburg last weekend, stand between the Sharks and a possible third-place finish in the United Rugby Championship when they meet at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday in the final weekend of round-robin action.

An outstanding display at the breakdowns was at the forefront of the Scarlets' 32-19 win at Ellis Park, serving to totally nullify the momentum of the home team. 

James Venter, the openside flank of the Sharks, says they are expecting to face the same challenge in the rucks and collisions from the Welshmen.

"We've identified Scarlets as being really disruptive. They really hunt for the ball or counter-ruck strongly at the breakdowns, and they also disrupt in the lineouts as well. So the rucks are a massive emphasis for us, we like to attack and build phases, so we've really got to be on top of our game at the breakdown," Venter told SportsBoom.co.za.

"Scarlets have some really good players on the ball, and Marnus van der Merwe at hooker works hard at the breakdown and is outstanding physically, we know him well as a South African. And our coach [John Plumtree] obviously loves his son and is a big supporter of him, he never misses a game he plays. So Taine Plumtree is their number one player and there has been good banter with our coach during the week, he said "there's a brick wall there!" when we were looking at Taine in the Scarlets defence," Venter laughed.

Miracle needed

Victory for the Sharks could well take them into third place in the standings because Glasgow Warriors, who are just one point ahead of them, face a daunting trip to Leinster on Saturday. 

Theoretically, the KwaZulu-Natalians could even finish second, but it would take a miracle with the Bulls needing to lose without a bonus point at home to the bottom-of-the-log Dragons and seeing a +116 points difference advantage over the Sharks disappear.

But Venter said the Sharks' focus is now on producing a complete performance over 80 minutes as they head into the knockout rounds with a home quarterfinal already secured. The 28-year-old does not want to just win a couple of flashy turnovers; he wants to be an agent for positive change for his team throughout the 80 minutes.

"The home quarterfinal was our focus and a win this weekend can bump us up into third, which gives us a better chance of contending for the title, we'll be playing the team that finishes sixth. But every game now is a step towards the final, we've started to click and now it's about gelling, building on our momentum and running out and getting five points on Saturday," Venter said.

"It's easy to go out and just try to tick a few boxes, but we still haven't produced an 80-minute performance as a team. But we've started to find some great form, now we want 80 minutes of playing to the standard we know we can."

"When we do click properly, we're going to be a really, really dangerous side. It could be this game, we want that chemistry and fluidity so we can go into the knockouts with massive confidence. We are preparing to knock over any side, but all the top eight teams have played some wonderful rugby." 

Deal secured

The former Lions loose forward has managed to secure a deal with English high-flyers Gloucester from next season; given that Venter has just completed his LlB degree (Bachelor of Laws) cum laude, he could probably have drawn up the contract himself.

Venter joked that his law degree could also give him an advantage when it comes to the murky laws surrounding the breakdown.

"Because of the subjectivity of the referees, the rucks have become a grey area, they all interpret it differently in the split-second they need to make a decision. So I just try and play towards how the referee sees the breakdown, what's clear for him or what's blurred. It's about being aware and making good decisions," Venter said.