Discipline the watchword

It may be a bit ironic for Robert du Preez (above) to be a spokesman for discipline given his fiery temperament in his playing days, but the Sharks coach was stressing that aspect of their play as being crucial when they travel to Cape Town to take on Western Province in a top-of-the-table Currie Cup humdinger today.

“Discipline is something we pride ourselves on and we’ll need to replicate our first half last weekend against the Golden Lions, when we conceded just one penalty, rather than the second half when we gave away six penalties.

“WP are probably the form team in the competition, they’re a very good attacking side, you can’t afford to turn over possession, and they have a good defensive record as well. We’re looking forward to the clash though, it’s going to be a big one,” he said.

Western Province coach John Dobson interestingly had the exact same message.

“After our second half against Griquas and the Sharks’ performance last weekend, we have got no room for complacency.

“Our discipline in the second half was not good enough, we gave away 18 penalties and I said to the players that if you go back to as long ago as 1891 you won’t find a team that has won the Currie Cup after conceding so many penalties,” Dobson said.

While Western Province have made eight changes for the game, the Sharks are hoping their continuity, with Du Preez just giving a starting recall for flank Jacques Vermeulen and a place on the bench for wing Leolin Zas, will count in their favour.

Kick-off: 2pm