Jones’ side face off against the Hollywood Bet Sharks tomorrow night at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban for the must-win encounter, but will be without their talismanic former skipper.
Defiant Tipuric, however, is targeting a potential United Rugby Championship play-off return having been ruled out of Ospreys final two league phase matches against Sharks and Lions.
The former Wales flanker, 35, has not travelled to South Africa due to a pectoral injury suffered during the EPCR Challenge Cup defeat by Lyon in April, but Jones is optimistic he will be fit for the knockout phase.
“Fingers crossed, we’ll be coming back to a fixture he’s available for and we’re trying to keep the fires burning this end so that he hasn’t played his last game of rugby,” said Jones in his pre-match conference.
“The medics have certainly said that [a return] is not out of the question, and he’s certainly targeting that.
“It’ll be in the back of the players minds. Everyone here loves Tips, and he’s been an incredible part of the Ospreys for a long time. Whenever he is not in the team, you know that there is a player who can make us better.
“He hasn’t stepped over into the coaching world yet and is still behaving like a player and is doing his best to be available.”
The Ospreys have made one change to the side that thrashed Dragons 57-24 last time out, bringing in Springbok-born prop Tom Botha for their first of two intimidating challenges in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is very much win or bust in both games, with the Swansea-based region starting the round in 11th position, lying three points off the pace with two games remaining.
Jones feels that winning both is achievable, but acknowledges facing a high-flying Sharks, beaten only once on their own patch by runaway leaders Leinster, will be a huge test with the province chasing home advantage gained from a top-four finish.
“There is a chance now on tour to South Africa to try and get ourselves in the play-offs, or certainly make life uncomfortable for others if they do slip up,” continued Jones.
“It is an awesome place to tour, and we are playing in some good venues. What a way to finish off the season.
“We know the Sharks are a high-quality outfit with a lot of household names, but they’ve also got some great depth with their young talent coming through as well.
“When you play the best teams, you probably need to pick up four tries to beat the best.
“We have prepared as well as we can for them, and we’ve put a lot of focus on ourselves for these two games.
“We have to get our own house in order because when we’ve done that this year, we’ve been a tough team to play against.”
Ospreys XV to face Sharks:
Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy
Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Will Spencer, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (captain), Morgan Morse.
Replacements:
Sam Parry. Steffan Thomas, Ben Warren, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
