Four Sharks who need to lead the way against Reds

THE SHARKS by their own admission are in “obsession mode” when it comes to tomorrow’s Super Rugby match against the Reds. They are desperate to bounce back from the hiding they received from the Jaguares and strong leadership is required. Mike Greenaway looks at four Sharks who need to lead the way.

SBU NKOSI

This is a big game for the incumbent Springbok right wing. He has been dogged by injury this season and from the sidelines has seen Sharks teammate Makazole Mapimpi dazzle in his place. “Mapimps” is having a rotational break this weekend at the fortuitous time that Nkosi is returning from injury. The latter will want to impress from a national point of view but he will also know that his positive, aggressive style of play rubs off on his teammates. The Sharks need him to be at his robust best.

KOBUS VAN WYK

The former Stormers and Bordeaux player comes into the side at outside centre for resting Bok Lukhanyo Am. Van Wyk, pictured, is thus filling big boots because Am has been a standout Sharks player this year. But the 27-yearold Van Wyk is an exceptional player in his own right and is vastly underrated in South Africa. He has been injured this season and as a wing/centre he is also in a position where the Sharks have very good depth. But he now has a great chance to shine and his cavalier approach to the game suits his team in its current circumstances.

DAN DU PREEZ

The No 8 was one of the better Sharks players against the Jaguares and this time when he charges from the back of the scrum he needs to have more support. The 23-year-old has played SA Schools, SA Under-20, four times for the Boks and has 40 Super Rugby caps for the Sharks. So while he is young he already has considerable experience and is a player that commands respect from his peers. Du Preez is vital to the Sharks’ starter movements and is also a very strong finisher, especially when he is in bulldozer distance from the tryline.

COENIE OOSTHUIZEN

“Shrek” is one of the characters in the Sharks team. Jovial and colourful off the pitch he is No More Nice Guy on it, and the Sharks need plenty of that menace tomorrow. The beefy Oosthuizen is another Sharks player who is on the fringes of World Cup selection and he will be doing both himself and the Sharks a favour if he has a barnstorming performance against the Reds after being rested last week, along with fellow front-rower Tendai Mtawarira. Oosthuizen and Mtawarira led from the front at Ellis Park. They need to do so again.