Cautious reaction to Sharks’ victory

YOU will not find Sharks coach Robert du Preez swinging from the chandeliers and it was no different, even after his team comfortably disposed of the Waratahs in Durban.

The 37-14 scoreline was emphatic enough‚ but the coach was measured in his appraisal of his team’s second straight victory.

Du Preez lamented his team’s failure to convert their opportunities in the second half‚ while injuries to flyhalf Pat Lambie‚ flank Philip van der Walt and Clement Poitrenaud gave the coach cause for caution ahead of Saturday’s home clash with the Southern Kings. He did not know the extent of Lambie’s injury. “He hurt his back. He was tackled and fell on his back. He’s a tough guy. Hopefully it is not too serious‚” Du Preez said.

He did not show it but Du Preez must have been chuffed by the performance of young Curwin Bosch who replaced Lambie in the sixth minute and contributed 27 points to the Sharks’ cause.

Du Preez failed to gush about the performance, but recognised that Bosch was very talented.

Van der Walt went to hospital after his heavy collision with Waratahs’ replacement Senio Toleafoa in the 65th minute and may have to be put through concussion protocols this week.

Poitrenaud‚ Du Preez said‚ had struggled with a groin injury in the build-up and his withdrawal from the action was precautionary as the coach sets his sights on the Kings.

Du Preez is likely to shuffle his selection deck this week and the experienced Frenchman is one of the men earmarked for action. “I didn’t want to push him‚” he said. “Not that we want to take the Kings lightly‚ but after that we’ve got the Cheetahs away and the Lions away. So we are going to have to box clever.”

“The guys in the wider squad and the guys on the bench‚ you have to play them. I believe they will do well‚ they’ll step in and they’ll be fine.”