Du Preez: We’ve got to do it this year!

THERE will be no excuses from the Sharks if they under-perform in this year’s Super Rugby competition.

That was the pledge from coach Robert du Preez yesterday after his squad had completed a vigorous training session ahead of the big kick-off against the Sunwolves in Singapore on February 16.

The Sharks will warm up with a match against the Lions in Cape Town on February 3 and the following week host the Bulls.

While the Sharks ended 2018 on a glorious high by beating Western Province in the Currie Cup final in Cape Town, they had a relatively disappointing Super Rugby campaign. They squeezed into an (unwinnable) away quarter-final against the Crusaders but really ought to have done better given the excellence they showed in glimpses over the season.

“Lack of consistency last year was a big problem for us,” Du Preez admitted. “We had flashes of brilliance but there was little continuity. We created so many linebreaks but couldn’t finish. Clearly, that has to change.”

To that end, Du Preez has brought in an acclaimed attacking coach in Dave Williams, who was largely behind the Southern Kings’ impressive try-scoring feats in 2016 and 2017. Williams has also worked with Bath, London Irish, Kobe Steelers and the Cheetahs.

“Dave will give the players licence to attack when they are presented with ‘cues’ that he has been working hard on them identifying. In other words, when there is a specific situation, the players will know exactly what to do,” Du Preez said.

The Sharks begin 2019 with exactly the same squad that finished 2018, with Du Preez declining to add new faces. The burgeoning talent in the squad made recruitment unnecessary, the coach explained.

“With the talent we have, we would be running out of excuses if we did not have a big one this year. We’ve got to do it this year!”

Du Preez has decided to keep Currie Cup-winning captain Louis Schreuder at the helm, with Tendai Mtawarira backing him up. Last year’s Super Rugby captain Ruan Botha missed the Currie Cup because he was on duty in Japan.

“Louis is a great tactician and he has the backing of the players, who’ve shown great confidence in him as a leader,” Du Preez said.

“It’s also about how he works with the players on an individual basis, he knows how to communicate with the different players, and he gets the best out of each individual. He also understands and drives our team culture which is so important.”

Schreuder said he had relished captaining the side in the Currie Cup and was “honoured” to keep the job for Super Rugby.

“I had a very enjoyable stint last year in the Currie Cup, with me and Chiliboy (Ralepelle) sharing the captaincy role. I’m very excited for the challenge, to be captain of this franchise,” he said.

“I have been in leadership roles before so it comes naturally. I’m comfortable in this role.”