BRAGGING RIGHTS AT LOFTUS
Ahead of big derby clash, Ockert de Villiers gives reasons why the Bulls will win, while Darryn Pollock ‘bigs up’ the Sharks
BULLS PACK
The Bulls forward are developing into a beastly unit led by monstrous ball carriers like Duane Vermeulen, Jason Jenkins and Hanro Liebenberg.
While they have suffered two major losses in as many weeks thanks to injuries to Lood de Jager and Eli Snyman, they have not lost much in terms of physicality.
But the Bulls pack isn’t just a steamrolling machine, with the heavies boasting a good balance of ball-playing ability.
The fleet-footed Schalk Brits add centre-like finesse giving the Bulls another link between the forwards and the backline.
The Bulls forwards have physically dominated the contact area and the set pieces against the Stormers and Lions and will be looking for a similar display against the Sharks.
HANDRE POLLARD
Brutish Bulls pack. Check! With the forwards laying a strong foundation it naturally gives the backline front-foot ball to dictate the game.
A general-like flyhalf is synonymous with Bulls rugby which is exactly the role Handre Pollard has adopted over the last two years.
Pollard is the trigger to the Bulls’ tactical game with the Bok pivot deciding how they use the ball once the forwards have done their job.
He has been spot on in this role against the Sharks and the Lions when he got the ball going forward.
The goal-kicking assassin is not only a danger slotting penalties but can also drive the opposition deep into their half or pound them with up-and-unders.
THIRD SA SCALP
The Bulls will not only be desperate to prove to the Loftus faithful that the revolution is real with a third South African scalp but give them some breathing room going into the bye.
History favours the Bulls with the Pretoria side looking to extend their unbeaten run against the Durbanites to eight matches.
The Sharks have not beaten the Bulls in their own Kraal since June 2011 and it will take some doing to repeat that feat.
They came close three years ago when the two sides had to settle for a 16-16 draw but one may argue it is a decidedly better Bulls team running out in front of their home crowd than in that match in 2016.
TRY-SCORING MACHINES
A lot of teams are boasting some exciting backs in this year’s Super Rugby competition, but the Sharks have a really good blend of players in their back three who are all very well adept at scoring tries.
Makazole Mapimpi, on the one wing, was quickly elevated to become a Bok because the man can seemingly finish a try from nothing, and continues to impress in other facets.
Sbu Nkosi is the real deal, and a full package; the winger offers a lot in his overall game, but is another one that knows his way to the tryline.
Even in Ryno Smith, the Sharks have a real livewire running fullback.
NEED TO BOUNCE BACK
The Sharks’ two opening games, against the Sunwolves and Blues, away and at home, looked like a broad and varied test which they passed with flying colours.
They probably then got quite complacent welcoming the Stormers, who hate to travel, to the Shark Tank last week.
It was not only a poor loss, but a poor performance, and coach Robert du Preez will not suffer that same sort of effort two games in a row.
The players will know they need to shine, especially with the axe being wielded, be it rotation, or something more.
The odds are stacked, but the Sharks have no choice but to be better.
BOLSTERED BOK FRONT ROW
While the back three of the Sharks gets a lot of praise, their real valuable assets sit at the coalface of their pack; the front row.
The Sharks have some true superstar forwards.
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira is a legend of South African rugby and offers even more towards the twilight of his career than he did perhaps a few seasons ago.
Akker van der Merwe is an explosive, all-action hooker who has a certain Schalk Brits playing style in him, while Coenie Oosthuizen was, and still is, a real prodigious tighthead prop.
Not to mention Thomas du Toit holding things down on the bench.