Sharks scrum under the cosh

BEAST: PROP VITAL TO THE CAUSE AGAINST HIGHLANDERS

Ken Borland

Veteran prop Beast Mtawarira returns to the Sharks team eager to show he is nowhere near pension yet, but the Springbok stalwart also has a more important role to play in anchoring their scrum against the Highlanders at Kings Park today.

While many have pointed to the Highlanders’ scrum as being a potential weakness, it is actually the Sharks scrum that should be under focus. According to the Opta Sports stats provided by Sanzaar, the Sharks have the lowest scrum success rate of the competition at 84%. The Highlanders sit with a mid-table 89%.

There’s no doubt, however, that the Bulls troubled the Highlanders at scrum time last weekend and it provided them with a platform to attack the Kiwis. The Sharks will strive for the same and will also back their dominant lineout to provide set-piece control, the foundation of many a win.

The main reason the Bulls failed to turn their forward dominance last weekend into a victory was a lack of composure at key times, but the Sharks have plenty of wise heads to call on in Mtawarira, captain Ruan Botha, flank Philip van der Walt, centre Andre Esterhuizen and then Ross Geldenhuys, Stephan Lewies, Louis Schreuder and Lwazi Mvovo off the bench.

The Sharks also need to ensure the freshness from their bye week funds their energy so they can put in a full 80-minute effort if needs be against the relentless defence and ruthless counter-attack of the Highlanders.

“Last week’s Bulls game shows that, like all the New Zealand teams, the Highlanders don’t stop until the final whistle. So we have to as well, even if it means playing for 90 or 100 minutes. Ben Smith is a class act and their halfbacks are really good as well, we have to watch all those guys,” Botha said.

Kick-off: 5.15pm.