There are a lot of positives for Sharks coach Everitt

THE Sharks kick off their 2020 Super Rugby campaign next Friday against the Bulls in Durban and they have every reason to be confident after an impressive showing at Superhero Sunday.

The Sharks’ first-half display against the Stormers (when they were at full strength) was the best 40 minutes on the day from any of the four South African franchises. Coach Sean Everitt made 14 changes after halftime and while the fresh players also gave a good account of themselves it was that first half that will count as the dress rehearsal for the big kickoff next Friday.

The Sharks forwards got on top of their counterparts from the Cape who were admittedly short of some of their first-choice players, notably World Cup Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe.

The Sharks’ backline looked slick at times, as you would expect from a combination of such high pedigree. If there is to be one change to the backs for the Bulls game it could well be the snappy Sanele Nohamba for veteran Louis Schreuder, whose predictability was well read by Herschel Jantjies.

“We are happy with what we produced in what was essentially a practice match,” Everitt said. “There were a lot of positives, especially our set piece which functioned well in the first half.

“Our defence was good, we got off the line really well and the breakdown work that we put a lot of work into in the off-season came to fruition, so in general we are happy. We take nothing out of the result, it was three tries apiece and we hope the spectators enjoyed it.”

Everitt had tasked his players with delivering Super Rugby levels of intensity on Sunday and he says he got what he asked for.

“I was satisfied with the intensity, especially given the conditions out there,” Everitt said. “Playing at 1pm on the Highveld is not easy when you come from Durban, but our guys did well and when we changed the team the new guys upped the energy.”

There was some sloppy play from individuals in the second half, which Everitt said had no excuse because the Sharks were fresh.

“There were certainly a lot more positives than negatives and looking ahead to the Bulls, I am very happy with the personnel we have,” the coach said. “I think individuals put their hands up, and we can see why certain players were in the World Cup final, they shone out there and they showed why they are World Cup champions.

“We are very pleased with how our Boks have come back and been so positive about the Sharks.”