Coach behind green-and-gold

At a time when most South African teams merely seem to be producing players for rugby in France, Sharks coach Robert du Preez is still firmly behind the Springbok cause and has been willing to help their interests even though they play a crucial Currie Cup game against the Blue Bulls in Durban today.

Du Preez, a former Springbok scrumhalf, has rushed both released national squad members – No 8 Dan du Preez (right) and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle – straight back into his starting lineup, in contrast to Bulls coach John Mitchell, who grudgingly included flyhalf Handre Pollard on the bench, only after Manie Libbok was rushed to hospital with appendicitis, and has ignored scrumhalf Rudy Paige.

It helps the Sharks that they are enjoying an eightmatch winning streak, but they are at the nitty-gritty stage of their season, looking to nail down first position.

“Chili and Dan are part of the Sharks family and it’s really important that once they’ve done their duty, they come back and are welcomed with open arms. We’re very pleased to have them back and give them game time, and they’ve slotted back in,” coach Du Preez said.

The Bulls are not in nearly as settled a position as the Sharks, which is why Mitchell is not inclined to make too many changes to his team.

“The continuity is almost there, having that familiarity becomes useful. We’ve put the responsibility on the same group, that’s the way you build trust and ensure cohesion. It’s not easy for a different player to come in and get his rhythm, get used to the intuitiveness of his team-mates – that takes time,” Mitchell said.

But the Sharks are not underestimating the Bulls.

“We know it’s going to be a really tough encounter, we have to step up from last week. The Bulls are in a building phase and are looking to get better every week. They’re playing a lot more, they attack out of their own 22 these days, play more ballin-hand. They’ll bring a lot more intensity and look to keep the ball, so we have to match that,” Du Preez said.