Time for Sharks to stand up and be counted

The Sharks' game against the Cheetahs will further underline whether the Durban team are indeed title contenders or also-rans. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The Sharks' game against the Cheetahs will further underline whether the Durban team are indeed title contenders or also-rans. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Published Sep 9, 2016

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The Sharks will have been shocked out of any possible complacency in the Currie Cup by their defeat to Western Province last week at Newlands, and tomorrow’s home fixture against the Cheetahs will further underline whether the Durban team are indeed title contenders or also-rans.

The Sharks went to Cape Town undefeated and on top of the log, but were well beaten.

The Cheetahs are the only unbeaten team in the competition, and they will give the Sharks another reality check.

The Sharks will be hungry to get back on track - if they lose it would leave them questioning their capability to go all the way this year. In short, this result will tell us a great deal about the Sharks and their Currie Cup aspirations.

The Currie Cup is enticingly wide open - the Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs, Western Province and the Sharks are all capable of putting in winning runs to the final. On that subject, as things stand the Sharks are in line to host a semi-final at Kings Park on October 8, the same day that the Springboks play the All Blacks at Kings Park.

The Saru fixtures committee have not covered themselves in glory. Watch this space ... To matters more immediate.

“It is very important for us to bounce back and win this game,” said coach Robert du Preez. “The Cheetahs are a very well-balanced side. They like the 15-man game, but they also have a very good kicking game,” Du Preez said.

“We are going to have to up our work rate on defence because we are going to need it against their attack. They are a very committed side and have no weaknesses.”

After the defeat to WP, Du Preez said his side had been “out-passioned”. We can be certain that a tough task-master like Du Preez will ensure this will not be an issue tomorrow (5pm kick-off).

On a related matter, Du Preez will be watching with interest the performance of Sharks prop Lourens Adriaanse in tomorrow’s Springbok Test match against Australia.

“I have always said that Lourens is the best tighthead in the country. He fully deserves his call-up to the Bok starting line-up.”

The Mercury

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