No more Jekyll and Hyde
Du Preez’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ line-up desperate to show their good side
LIKE the famous character in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the Sharks have been fighting with their own polar personalities this season, being brilliant on one hand, and diabolically poor on the other. However, after a moment of lucid Jekyll-ing in Buenos Aires the Sharks are hoping to leave Mr Hyde far behind them.
The motto for this week at the Shark tank has been: “Good teams maintain momentum, but great teams increase momentum,” as explained by centre Jeremy Ward in the week leading up to today’s match at Kings Park against the Force (3.05pm).
It is now about taking all that was good about a direct, and hard-fought, win in Argentina and improving it as the Durban outfit keeps striving for better and better.
Momentum is key, and the Sharks will be happy with where they are in the season, but as they head towards the business end of the competition, they will need to get better. Losses have been few and far between, but then so have bonus points; the Sharks have fought gallantly against tougher foes, such as the Lions, but looked downright awful against supposed rabble in the Kings and Rebels.
The Sharks have a perfect opportunity to make good on their promise to give back to the fans who had to endure their last home game against the Rebels, and indeed, increase their momentum. The Force, much like the Rebels, are pretty much a one-trick pony with defence the only sting in their bow, and spoiling tactics their bread and butter.
The Sharks won’t be able to stroll over the Force even if they are putting on their best show, but they will have a chance to test their character and belief which is at an all time high, according to word coming out of the camp.
There are a few other reasons for the Sharks and their management to be smiling as they welcome back star flyhalf Pat Lambie, who returns from a vertebrae injury sustained against the Waratahs some eight weeks back. Lambie returns via the bench just in time to take the reins back from his deputy Curwin Bosch who heads off to the Under-20 Boks tomorrow.
The Sharks have also put some distance between themselves and the only team to threaten their shot at a play-off wild card, the Jaguares. This may be why coach Du Preez has felt it wise to hand a debut to Under-20 Bok winger Sbu Nkosi who replaces Lwazi Mvovo. There are also other selections which point to the coach having faith in his entire squad rather than just a select XV.
Thomas du Toit keeps veteran Beast Mtawarira out of the starting line-up for a second week while Chiliboy Ralepelle also gets an extended run at hooker. Etienne Oosthuizen returns in a rotation of the locks while the flanks remain the same as Philip van der Walt teams up with the twins.
Michael Claassens holds down the No 9 jersey alongside Bosch at No 10, and outside the prodigal talent is Ward who impressed in his less familiar position of 12 last week. Kobus van Wyk is also back after missing two games thanks to injury.
Ngani Laumape scored two late tries, one that began deep inside the Hurricanes’ territory as the home side secured a scrappy 41-22 victory over the Stormers in Wellington yesterday, reports Reuters
Fullback Jordie Barrett also crossed twice, while Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Beauden Barrett grabbed tries for the home side. Ramone Samuels scored the visitors’ only try with fullback SP Marais slotting four penalties while flyhalf Robert du Preez kicked a penalty and conversion before he went off injured.