Tough Bulls test for Sharks

Despite an ideal start to the Currie Cup, the Sharks will have to up their game when they host the Blue Bulls. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Despite an ideal start to the Currie Cup, the Sharks will have to up their game when they host the Blue Bulls. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Published Aug 27, 2016

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Durban – A Sharks team rebuilding from Super Rugby have had an ideal start to the Nashua Currie Cup in that they have played three teams that had to qualify for the competition, but the Durbanites will have to up their game when they host heavyweights in the Blue Bulls today (6.10pm).

The Sharks have been impressive under new coach Robert du Preez and restored captain Keegan Daniel, particularly because of their commitment to an adventurous style of rugby, and Du Preez says his team must have the resolution to stick to their guns today.

The Sharks have been refreshing in their bonus-point wins over the Pumas in Nelspruit, Griquas at Kings Park and Boland in Wellington.

They have run the ball and scored some brilliant team tries, but will they remain positive against teams such as the Bulls, Free State, the Lions and Western Province?

We will see today, but you have to believe the Sharks will remain on course given the side Du Preez has selected.

He has the enterprising Inny Radebe at flyhalf once more. He is a breath of fresh air with his crisp distribution and astute decision-making, and is partnered at half-back by another willing attacker in Stefan Ungerer.

Interestingly, there is no place in the match 23 for Garth April, the SA A flyhalf not that long ago against the England Saxons. Coach Du Preez should be given credit for not being bound in his selections by reputation, and April’s place on the bench is taken by fit-again utility back Rhyno Smith, who can cover flyhalf, fullback and centre.

Back from the Boks is wing Lwazi Mvovo. He is part of a formidable back three, along with veteran Odwa Ndungane and exciting fullback Curwin Bosch.

In the forwards, Jean-Luc du Preez’s return to health offsets the loss to injury of flanker Tera Mtembu. The good news regarding Mtembu is that his latest knee injury is not as bad as initially anticipated after he was helped off the field last week against Boland, and he will not require surgery and could be back on the field in about four weeks.

At lock, Ruan Botha will continue in partnership with Etienne Oosthuizen. Stephan Lewies has a hamstring strain, which allows the talented Botha to have a crack in a big game after missing most of Super Rugby because of injury.

Western Province desperately need their flyhalves to take control if they are going to bounce back against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth today (4pm), writes John Goliath.

Robert du Preez and Brandon Thomson, the two players who have started at No 10 in the first two matches against Bulls and Free State Cheetahs, failed to take those matches by the scruff of the neck and also made plenty of errors.

WP have been unable to get any momentum off the No 10. While one can’t just blame the two players for the two defeats, Thomson and Du Preez need to up their game if WP are going to make it into the semi-finals.

Former SA Under-20 flyhalf Thomson gets another shot this week after he started the match against the Cheetahs, while Du Preez will be on the bench after wearing the No 10 jersey against the Bulls.

“We haven’t dominated at halfback like we wanted to. If we are going to change the flyhalf every week we are not going to win the Currie Cup,” WP coach John Dobson said.

“So we are going to have another look at Thommo. I still have an open mind about it, but the 10s have got to start to step up.”

Five points are non-negotiable against the Kings if WP want to get their season on track. They have put themselves under a lot of pressure at the start of this competition, because there is no home-and-away fixture list this season. All the teams play each other once.

WP simply have to open their account, because the Sharks and the Lions are still waiting to sink their teeth into them.

“We haven’t over-hyped this game, but the team is aware the next three weeks are important,” Dobson said. “We have to get some confidence from this game, because we play the Sharks and the Lions after this.” - Saturday Star

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