Sharks take things seriously

Ken Borland

The match might not have any bearing on the table for the Sharks, but coach Robert du Preez said they are treating the clash with Western Province at King’s Park today as a quarterfinal as they look to regain the momentum they had before the bye week.

Even if they concede a bonus point defeat to Western Province, the Sharks will still top the table by 10 points, thanks to the 10 successive wins they enjoyed before their bye last weekend. Du Preez is anxious that they don’t lose any steam heading into the semifinals and he also needs to reintegrate returning Springbok squad members Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Louis Schreuder, as well as Lukhanyo Am (pictured) and Kobus van Wyk, who are back from injury.

“This game is really important, we’re going to approach it like a quarterfinal. Except for Lukhanyo, who only missed the Lions game because of some knee and ankle niggles, the guys coming back will play off the bench because the team played well last time and I want to give them another opportunity and then select the team for the semifinal. It’s always challenging coming off the bye and we were a bit disrupted with the storm in Durban, but we will be ready,” Du Preez said.

Although there is a small chance of more rain falling today, Du Preez said his team are looking forward to playing in sunshine in front of their home fans once again, before hopefully also having a final at King’s Park. But given the strength of the Western Province pack, daring rugby will need to become secondary to the Sharks’ need to put on a demonstration of forward power.

Apart from thrilling their own fans, the Sharks could also ruin Western Province’s hopes of hosting the other semifinal, which a victory away in Durban would ensure for the 33-time champions.