Sharks warm-up matches to woo Kasi-style fans
THIS time last year the Sharks were living it up in the salubrious surrounds of the South of France playing friendlies against Toulon and Toulouse, but this year the Durbanites have done a 180º turnaround and stayed on their doorstep as they warm up for Super Rugby.
No unnecessary travel this time for a Sharks team that start their Super Rugby Championship campaign against Queensland in Brisbane on February 24 (and the Brumbies in Canberra a week later). In fact, the two trials matches against the Cheetahs will take place in the Durban township of Umlazi on Friday night at the King Zwelithini Stadium and the main match will be televised live on SuperSport from 6.30pm.
As well as negating travel weariness before that big kickoff in Brisbane, these matches continue the success of the Sharks’ venture into the townships in 2016 when the Sharks XV played three of their qualifying matches for the Currie Cup in Umlazi, Clermont and KwaMashu.
Entry to the King Zwelithini Stadium is free for the two 60-minute matches, scheduled for 5pm and 6.30pm respectively. Both sides will field extended squads. This year, the Sharks have deliberately kept their powder dry ahead of the marathon tournament, possibly heeding the half a dozen injuries incurred in feisty matches in France last year. In fact, this is their first “hit-out” since the conclusion of last year’s Currie Cup. But the Sharks have hardly been idle since failing to make the semi-finals of a 2016 Currie Cup competition won by the Cheetahs, and the trials matches conclude a rigorous 11-week pre-season training block. Commenting on the match, Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, pictured, said: “We are looking forward to the matches. We’ve had a gruelling pre-season programme and the energy and enthusiasm shown on the practice field has been fantastic. The players are eager to get the season started and it is also an opportunity for the coaching team to test combinations and see how the players go in match conditions.
Interestingly, Sharks chief executive Gary Teichmann added: “The Sharks’ on-going partnership with Durban Tourism seeks to enhance social cohesion and take rugby to our community. We are thrilled to be able to deliver on our promise of expanding the profile of our game to new areas.
“We trust people in these areas as well as our fans travelling from outside those communities, embrace this match and make it a memorable rugby occasion for everyone.”
Durban Tourism has arranged return transportation from Kings Park to Umlazi. Fans will be able to park their vehicles at the stadium and hop on to two 60-seater buses that have been provided. The first bus departs Kings Park at 4.30pm and the second bus at 6pm. After the match the buses will return to the stadium at 9pm and 10pm respectively.
Phillip Sithole, Head of Durban Tourism, said: “The City is pleased that the rugby township games have created a sporting legacy for Durban. We are proud that through the partnership with the Sharks we can take the game to our local communities to enjoy the game.”