Sharks ‘will not disrespect’ the Cheetahs
THE CHEETAHS may have 28 of their best players in Ireland for PRO14 matches against Ulster in Belfast and Limerick over the next two weekends, but the Sharks can only control what is in front of them and there will be no mercy for a Cheetahs C team in a Currie Cup match at Kings Park tomorrow.
The match marks the second round of the Currie Cup home-and-away system and we must recall that the only game the Sharks have lost in their six encounters so far was at Bloemfontein in round one against a full-strength Free State Cheetahs team.
The Sharks have not lost since, and the Cheetahs have lost one game. So both teams sit on five wins out of six.
“First and foremost, we will not disrespect the Cheetahs, whatever team they put on the park,” coach Robert du Preez said. “That is very important, and secondly we must concentrate on what we must do to improve our game and consolidate momentum. We must look after ourselves because we have so much to improve on. We have to improve our patience in our 22, an area of ongoing concern all season. We continue to create a lot of opportunities which we do not convert, so that is very important for us.”
With front-line wings Kobus van Wyk and Odwa Ndungane both carrying injury niggles, Du Preez has taken the bold step of picking a player out of the club rugby ranks in strong-running Rovers wing Tythan Adams, who will make his debut on the right wing.
“Tythan been training with us for the last month or so and has shown a great work ethic, and it was just a matter of time before he was given a chance,” Du Preez said.
Curwin Bosch does not feature in the match 23 and coach Du Preez explained that this was because he came back to the squad after the team had already been selected and gone through the crucial Monday and Tuesday training sessions.
Up front, loosehead prop Ross Geldenhuys is given a break, which ties in nicely with the return of Thomas du Toit.
The Cheetahs in turn have named a completely new team, with Springbok Sevens player Chris Dry leading the side, while former Junior Springbok loose forward Junior Pokomela also earns a start.