Family feud at Newlands
Du Preez household in opposite camps for crunch clash
IT WILL be a family affair today (5.10pm) when the Sharks travel to Cape Town for an important Currie Cup clash against Western Province.
Two Durban-bor n and bred brothers will be going up against each other as JeanLuc du Preez of the Sharks lines up against elder brother, Robert jr. More than that, Dad and Sharks coach Robert senior will be plotting against his eldest son.
It is not the first time JeanLuc and Robert line up against each other. Last year, at King’s Park, Robert put on a flawless kicking display with two penalties and four conversions to defeat the Sharks 37-27.
However, things could well be a little different this time around with Robert senior’s influence apparent in Durban.
The Sharks top the table and are undefeated, with an exciting attacking game plan to boot.
On the other hand, West- er n Province have only picked up one win, against the lowly EP Kings, in their three games.
Coach Du Preez has been a little coy in building up the battle of his sons, as well as his own battle against his eldest son, but has passed a veiled compliment to the Province flyhalf.
“Province have a few quality X-factor players in their back-line,” he said with a smile. But the coach said this game would be their toughest to date. The coach has said before that when it comes to his sons, he is first a father, then a coach. Despite his black and white allegiance, he only wants the best for his sons and hopes Robert jr has a good game. Besides Robert jr, WP have a number of other game-breakers, notably Cheslin Kolbe at fullback. There is also another Sevens specialist in Werner Kok to keep an eye out for on the wing. The Sharks kept their changes to a minimum with only Lwazi Mvovo out from last week as he returns to Springbok duty.
While the exciting backline battle will be worth the price of the admission ticket, it is in the forwards where the Sharks will likely hold the edge.
From the first team sheet, the Sharks forwards were something to behold and they have perfor med admirably since.
The cohesive continuity brought through from Super Rugby has been the rock on which the Sharks’ success has been built.
Coach Du Preez’s words ring true about the match; it is going to be the Sharks’ toughest challenge to date and also one of the most important.
Being undefeated brings with it its own pressure, but when there is another team in the Cheetahs chasing the Sharks, momentum becomes key.
Should the Sharks win today and the Cheetahs overcome the Kings in Bloemfontein (3pm), which is likely, the following week’s clash between the two undefeated teams at King’s Park could give an early indication as to who are likely to lift the trophy.