Sharks take nothing for granted
ALTHOUGH the Sharks are in a good position they are not taking anything for granted with more than half of their 16 matches left.
ALTHOUGH the Sharks are in a good position after five Super Rugby wins in six outings, they are not taking anything for granted with more than half of their 16 matches left.
This weekend, both the Stormers and the Sharks squads will limp to Newlands for their vital clash with heavy casualty lists after six brutal weeks of competition.
After four losses in six matches, winning the return fixture against the Sharks is non-negotiable for the Stormers if they hope to reach the play-offs. They cannot set off on tour the following week with five losses.
Unsurprisingly, that is not a concern for the Sharks, who want to maintain the momentum they have built after their 21-17 win over the Crusaders last weekend.
“If we look at our next three games, we play the Stormers, who have to win; the Cheetahs, who are on a really good roll at the moment; and then the Chiefs in New Zealand and we have to pick up as many points as we can,” assistant coach Hugh Reece-Edwards said.
“We have to win at home (against the Cheetahs), that’s a no-brainer, and this weekend’s match is a vital one. And although we have a number of injuries, we thankfully do have players intact.
“It’s massive for the Stormers. They are under the cosh and have to win. Perhaps they can afford one more loss, but certainly no more. We have no illusions about the enormity of the game, and they’ll come out with everything they’ve got.”
The Stormers’ latest setback was the loss of fullback Jaco Taute for the remainder of the campaign after he severed knee tendons when tackled by the Cheetahs’ Willie le Roux. Coach Allister Coetzee confirmed yesterday that his season was over.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will miss the Sharks match with a knee strain, but Coetzee said it was not as serious as first feared. Jantjies will be ready for their first tour match in two weeks’ time. Flank Siya Kolisi, who suffered an ankle injury on Saturday, was given the all clear.
The Stormers still have a long casualty list, including hookers Tiaan Liebenberg and Scarra Ntubeni, lock Eben Etzebeth, flanks Schalk Burger and Rynhardt Elstadt, flyhalf Peter Grant and wing Bryan Habana.
The Sharks might be in a healthy position at the top of the local conference and third in the overall standings, but they are starting to thin out in key positions as well.
During Friday’s win over the Crusaders, flank Jacques Botes broke his arm, while wing Odwa Ndungane pulled a hamstring. Botes had surgery yesterday and is likely to miss the rest of the campaign.
And for the next several weeks the Sharks will be without flanks Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel, hooker Bismarck du Plessis, flyhalf Butch James, fullback Louis Ludik, centre Tim Whitehead and wing Lwazi Mvovo.