Coach John Plumtree says the Sharks’ failure to score against 13 men just before half time proved costly in their 25-13 Vodacom URC semi-final defeat at Loftus.

The Vodacom Bulls were leading 12-3 when centre Harold Vorster was yellow-carded in the 27th minute, but still managed to add three points to their tally while he was off.

Loose forwards Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee were then sin-binned, in the 36th and 39th minutes respectively, but the Bulls’ defence withstood wave after wave of Sharks attack to go into the break 15-3 ahead.

“We had plenty of opportunities [to score] before half time,” Plumtree said. “We put the Bulls under pressure and they got three yellow cards, but we weren’t quite good enough to finish them off. We should have been closer to 15-15 at half time, but didn’t cash in close to the line. We got held up over the goal line just before half time which was an absolute disaster.

“But I was still pretty confident at half time. We were starting to get our game going and had the territory we needed. We scored a couple of good tries [in the second half] to get back into the game, but weren’t quite accurate enough and they managed to get that try [by David Kriel] that broke our backs.

“We were a bit off our game on attack,” he added. “Sometimes we played too deep when we had momentum and sometimes too flat when we didn’t.”

RECAP: Bulls bulldoze Sharks for final spot

While Plumtree downplayed the loss of Bok lock Eben Etzebeth to a head knock in training during the buildup to the game, he admitted afterwards that it had been a big blow.

“He’s the best lock in the world as far as I’m concerned. He’s our captain and he inspires those around him. When he’s in our group, it’s probably a different pack, so it was a massive loss for us. Jason Jenkins as well, he’s played so well this year. Two big men who carry really well for us and can win ball.”

Plumtree said he had learned a lot from his second URC campaign, but that managing the Springboks would continue to pose a challenge.

“There were really tough periods of the season, especially after the [November] internationals when we had our Boks, who were tired, coming back. How we can compete in the tournament with players who have just played 14, 15 internationals is a challenge.

“And then after Christmas they go through their Springbok resting [protocol] and it’s about navigating that period with the rest of the team. We also had 18, 19 injuries at one stage, which was a bit of a crisis.

“When you do finally get everyone back in, it’s about where you’re sitting on the log and how you can progress in two tournaments [URC and European Champions/Challenge Cup]. The key for us to make sure we have the depth in our squad to do well without them [the Springboks].

“Coaching the Sharks is not for the faint-hearted; it keeps me awake at night,” he added with a laugh.

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