Sharks out to tear into wounded Lions
Loose forward Notshe expects intense battle in Durban
The pace will be fast and furious when a success-hungry Sharks team bid for back-to-back Rainbow Cup SA wins against a wounded Lions outfit in Durban on Saturday.
After launching their campaign with an away win against the Stormers, Sharks looseforward Sikhumbuzo Notshe says his team will keep their foot on the accelerator (kickoff 4pm).
In the second game of the day, the Bulls will be aiming to extend their dominance against the Stormers in Cape Town (kick-off 6.15pm).
Sharks coach Sean Everitt named an unchanged starting line-up and will be hoping the continuity in selection pays dividends.
“Our preparation is important because we’re a performance-driven side, we aren’t results-driven,” Notshe said.
“We know that if we get our performance right, the results will follow. I think both sides will look to lift the tempo and play a highpaced game.
“We will match them if they go that route and they’ll look to do the same.
“Decision-making will be important and making sure we stick to our plan.”
There are two changes on the Sharks bench, with Le Roux Roets replacing JJ van Mescht and Jaden Hendrikse, having recovered from a niggle, being named as the reserve scrumhalf.
“You can never be pleased with yourself after the first round of a competition,” Notshe said.
“There are always work-ons.
“We were poor at the breakdown and their stealers managed to get their hands on the ball and we didn’t react well.
“As teammates, when one guy carries, we need to look after him and that’s been the focus for us
“It’s something we haven’t shown consistency at. Some games we were fine and in other games we lost concentration and this past weekend was one of those game where we just didn’t look after our teammates when they went into contact.
“It is an issue but we have addressed it and it’s something we’re working hard to resolve.
“Just look at the effort from the boys against the Stormers and at one stage we were far behind.
“But as we gathered behind the poles, we spoke about our energy levels and our intensity, which were good, and that we couldn’t lose that.
“That energy, enthusiasm and feeling for each other is what got us over the line.
“At the end, we could so easily have given away a penalty but we forced them to kick that 50-50 grubber and I guess the ball bounced in our favour.
“There are a lot of positives to take out of that game.
“Defensively we were good, we made a lot of good tackles and we were very disciplined in terms of the new interpretation of the laws.
“I thought we adapted well.”