Sharks face Bulls in first big test of season

THIS weekend is where things start to really take shape for what looks like a resurgent Sharks team.

The old foe, the Blue Bulls, are in town and ready to pose a proper threat to coach Robert du Preez’s bid for the trophy.

The Sharks have had everything go for them so far this Currie Cup season.

A settled team with only two Springbok players unavailable through national duty, a new coach hell-bent on making the Sharks an attacking force again, a pack of forwards that have been playing for three consecutive competitions together, and three relatively easy fixtures to get things going.

There have even been some comparisons drawn between the Sharks as they sit now and the Lions about two-and-a-half years ago, when they started building towards greatness. However, there is some uneasiness surrounding Kings Park as this fixture against the Bulls approaches (6.10pm).

A win here, and of course a few more against the other bigger and brighter teams, and the Sharks’ recent decisions about coaches and game plan will be vindicated, suggesting they are on the right path.

A loss, however, will be a deflating experience for the team, leading to a loss of confidence and the return of those niggling doubts about the side’s future.

That is not to say that this game is the be all and end all, but it really is the start of the Currie Cup drive for the Sharks as they hunt for a trophy that is so badly needed in this part of the country.

In saying that, it is clear that Du Preez sees this match as important because he has selected a very strong line-up.

Lwazi Mvovo returns from the Springboks and gets a place on the wing in place of S’Bura Sithole, who drops to the bench.

Lukhanyo Am returns to centre and the No 13 jersey after an injury niggle, and loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez is also back after injury concerns of his own.

Du Preez’s return is a timeous one because Tera Mtembu, who took up a flank spot in the past two games, has injured his knee and may well be out of action for four or five weeks.

Ruan Botha partners the industrious Etienne Oosthuizen in the locking position as the powerful front-row combination of Dale Chadwick, Franco Marais and Thomas du Toit team up again.

The Sharks are one of two undefeated teams in the competition, along with the Cheetahs, and for that very reason they will have a big target on their back that the Bulls will be eyeing.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Max Verstappen was fastest on the opening day of practice for the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo as world champions Mercedes chose to focus on race preparation.

Verstappen set a benchmark time of one minute and 48.085 seconds, 0.256sec quicker than Ricciardo on a hot and sunny day at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

That was faster than Nico Rosberg’s session-topping time in the morning session, which he set while trialling the “halo” cockpit safety device on his Mercedes.

The German was only sixth-fastest in the afternoon, his best effort 1.076sec slower than Verstappen’s.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, second in the morning, ended the day 13th and 1.697sec off the pace.

The Briton leads Rosberg by 19 points in the standings and heads into tomorrow’s race aiming to become only the third driver to win 50 races.

But he is set to start near the back of the grid after Mercedes fitted two fresh power units to his car before each of yesterday’s sessions.

Like Rosberg, he spent the afternoon focused on long-run race simulations, with both Mercedes lapping slower than their morning best.

Nico Hulkenberg ended a strong opening day for Force India, running third-quickest ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. His teammate Sergio Perez, fourth in the morning, ended the day fifth.

Fernando Alonso made up for a lack of mileage in the opening session by going 12th-fastest in the afternoon.

The Spaniard completed only three laps in the morning and was unable to set a time after the updated Honda engine fitted to his McLaren sprang a water leak.

Like Hamilton, he will start near the back of the grid, after the Woking-based team opted to fit his car with a fresh powerunit.

French teenager Esteban Ocon, making his Formula One debut this weekend with backmarkers Manor, ended the day 21st.

He was quicker than fellow Mercedes-backed teammate Pascal Wehrlein in the morning but the German, who has been with Manor since the start of the season, regained the initiative in the afternoon.

A number of drivers tested the halo cockpit protection system in the morning.