No Complacency from Sharks
Coach Du Preez makes changes and bloods a ‘new Butch James’
THERE have already been instances of coaches coming unstuck by underestimating their opponents in this year’s Super Rugby, but Sharks coach Robert du Preez is adamant it will not happen to them.
The Sharks welcome the Kings to Durban tonight at 7.30pm, and with a slightly rotated team, it is clear the home side are looking for the win, but also to look after their players.
It was a brutal three games in the opening encounters for the Sharks. They started things overseas, against the Reds and the Brumbies, and despite the generalisation that Aussies are soft, Du Preez was surprised at how ferocious things were.
Against the Waratahs the brutality of it all came to the fore as Pat Lambie hurt his back and Philip van der Walt also took some heavy damage to his face. Clement Poitrenaud and hooker Franco Marais also had to limp off during the game.
It has meant that there has to be changes for this game, but despite the injuries, the coach was always going to do a little rotating against a side that does not pose the biggest threat.
The Kings are seen as a side that are severely under strength, especially in terms of Super Rugby standards, but that brings its own pressures.
Du Preez, as well as all the players on media duties, has stated all week that the Kings are not to be taken lightly, and it is clear that they are not going in with any signs of complacency.
The Sharks have put forward their plan, to try and blunt the free-flowing side from Port Elizabeth with their dominant defence, with an eye to capitalise on mistakes.
The only worry is that there is a big break in selection continuity, not only with the injuries but also a few rotational selections. The biggest change sees the introduction of the totally untested utility back Bernard Janse van Resnburg. There are other more tested players who could have filled the role, like Inny Radebe and Garth April, but coach Du Preez has a fondness for Janse van Rensburg.
Having played for his coach at the Leopards, as well as at Pukke for the Varsity Cup, Janse van Rensburg has also caught the eye of national selectors, being picked for the SA Under-20 side this year, as well as last. He is regarded as a good communicator as well as a dependable defender, with the name Butch James being whispered in the same breath as his. There is also a new front row with Thomas du Toit employed at his more favourable loosehead position, Chiliboy Ralepelle coming in at hooker, and Lourens Adriaanse securing the front row.
The locks remain and Jacques Vermeulen takes up Van der Walt’s vacant jersey.
In the backs, other than Janse van Rensburg, the only other changes sees the hero of the Waratahs match, Curwin Bosch, come in at fullback and the evergreen Odwa Ndungane adding his experience on the wing for Lwazi Mvovo.
, a sense of normality returned to the Bulls and Loftus Versfeld as the three time Super Rugby champions huffed, puffed, stumbled but eventually got over the line to beat the Sunwolves 34-21 and record their first win of season night, writes Vata Ngobeni.
It was by far not the vintage performance many of the Loftus faithful have become accustomed. And the Bulls – having Renaldo Bothma red carded for a high and swinging arm on Sunwolves captain Ed Quirk – would have walked away from this brawl in the knowledge that they were fortunate to register their win because against a more experienced and talented Super Rugby outfit they could have easily found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.