Du Preez waxes lyrical after win
FANTASTIC, WE SHOWED LOTS OF CHARACTER Sharks fight hard to subdue committed Jaguares.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez has stressed an inclusive policy in terms of his reserves playing a major role in Super Rugby and his replacements bench came to the fore in their hard-fought 18-13 win over the Jaguares at King’s Park in Durban at the weekend.
In an intense battle in which the Jaguares players brought all the physicality they usually produce for Argentina at international level, it was the determined Sharks who won the arm-wrestle, with their substitutes playing critical roles in the tense final stages.
“It was a very tough game, as expected, and they are a very difficult side to play against, basically a full Test outfit. So I’m very proud, it was a fantastic win and we showed lots of character. The forwards were outstanding, they laid the foundation, and the bench, especially the new front row of Thomas du Toit, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Lourens Adriaanse, really made a difference,” Du Preez said.
But the Sharks coach also had praise for inside centre Andre Esterhuizen, who was always in the thick of things, and even flyhalf Innocent Radebe, who was thrown into the deep end for his first Super Rugby start after fullback Garth April injured his calf and Curwin Bosch had to move to the last line of defence.
“In my opinion Andre is the best number 12 in the country and he’s playing great rugby, his skills level has improved tremendously. Inny did really well to come through a tough time, so that was good. He would’ve learnt a lot and he never really got ball on the front foot. He will only get better,” Du Preez said.
The Sharks now have a bye week with Du Preez happy with their position, one point behind the Lions, who have a game in hand, in Africa Conference 2.
“There have been seven really tough games and we’re looking forward to the break. It was a really important win, we had hoped for five points but that was maybe wishful thinking. It was difficult to play the way we wanted to because of a very slippery ball,” Du Preez said.