Sharks expecting a humdinger
WE CAN take it as said that all players’ ears have been hotly warmed in both the Shark and Cheetahs camps ahead of today’s big clash in Bloemfontein, and this derby is going to be a humdinger not unlike the Cheetahs versus the Bulls in Bloemfontein in round two where the host team outlasted the visitors.
The Sharks are coming off a win that could well have been a loss to a Kings team that many are targeting for demotion from Super Rugby, Yet, with no resources, the Kings came with nine minutes of beating a Sharks team that had all the resources in the world, and had a fantastic pre-season campaign.
The Cheetahs in turn have gone downhill since beating the Bulls and latterly underwent a 40-point walloping against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last week.
There does appear to be a better balance to the Sharks’ backline now that Clement Poitrenaud has been declared fit to take up his place at fullback, while Curwin Bosch comes in at flyhalf, where he will need to take control of proceedings.
The Cheetahs have also returned to full strength after last weekend’s disaster in Argentina, while receiving a considerable boost in props Ox Nche, wing Raymond Rhule, flank Nico Lee, centre Francois Venter and wing Sergeal Petersen, all back from injury.
Interestingly, the Sharks have won eight of their last 11 games against the Cheetahs, including each of their last two in which they’ve conceded a total of 20 points, and their defence will again need to be at its best today.
This is a game in which it is hard to pick the winner, but with home ground advantage the Cheetahs may just edge it given that they will be confident, and can replicate the intensity they brought to the Bulls match in round two.
The Cheetahs were walloped by the Jaguares in Argentina, the Sharks bordered on pathetic before scrambling to a win in Durban against the Kings.
So which side will pitch for the 5pm kick-off today? The Cheetahs that were outstanding in the intensity they brought to beat the Bulls in the Free State capital in round two or the Sharks side that were superb in beating the Brumbies in Canberra and then Waratahs in Durban?
“I’d say that on both sides of the camp, all players have been revved up and the match is going to be a cracker between two sides determined to show they are the real deal,” Sharks coach Robert du Preez said.
“We were not happy with that performance at home against the Kings before close to 20 000 people. We have put it behind us, we are energised, our meetings and practices have been short and sweet and we are ready to go.”
Du Preez has dropped last week’s debutant flyhalf, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, for Curwin Bosch, who is free to move up from fullback to flyhalf because Clement Poitrenaud is over a groin injury and is able to resume in the No 15 jersey.
“It was very hard to drop Benhard after just one game,” Du Preez said of the 20- year-old. “I do not like doing this. This game is very important for us, and Curwin has been playing there all the time and giving us good reward. While I am very happy with Curwin to be there, last week it would have been difficult for Benhard or any other 10 to play well and give us shape on attack given that we did not perform up front, especially in the set phases.
“We will hear a lot more about Benhard and he will spend time now in the SA U-20 squad. That name is not going to go away. it is exciting to have him and Inny Radebe going forward.”
Interestingly, Du Preez added that it was his fervent hope that a successor to the old Vodacom Cup would emerge to give game time to the players in his greater squad. “We need to get another competition running concurrently with Super Rugby,” he said. It is a big a frustration for coaches and players.”
Du Preez has refreshed his front row for the match, bringing back rested contracted Springboks in props Coenie Oosthuizen and Tendai Mtawarira. Former Bok Chiliboy Ralepelle continues at hooker because of an ongoing injury to Franco Marias.