WP underdogs on own ground
CURRIE CUP: SHARKS GO THERE IN BUOYANT MOOD
Coach Du Preez wants to get one over his Province son.
It’s not often that the Sharks arrive at Newlands as the favourites, but it is in indeed the case in their Currie Cup clash against Western Province today. The Durbanites are riding the crest of the wave having been unbeaten after four games, leading the table on 19 points and having built up a cushion of five points in the standings on the joint-second teams of the Cheetahs and Griquas.
The Lions are a further two points down in fourth place with the Blue Bulls a further point back, while Province are under pressure after just one win in three matches and stuck in sixth place on just seven points.
Having lost their opening two matches against the Blue Bulls and the Cheetahs before beating the Kings, Province coach John Dobson admitted they can’t drop many more matches.
“It was encouraging to get our first win of the season last week, but we know that we will have to raise our standards significantly on Saturday,” he said.
The Sharks appear to hold more grunt up front with Province also giving openside flank Stefan Willemse a first start where he will be measured against the seasoned Sharks skipper Keegan Daniel.
Province also decided to recall flyhalf Robert du Preez in place of Brandon Thomson, while only naming two backline players on the bench with the returning Dewaldt Duvenhage covering 9 and 10.
“It is always an intense game when Western Province take on the Sharks, so we would like to embrace the occasion and give it absolutely everything,” said Dobson.
The Sharks have excelled in the Currie Cup under the coaching of former Bok scrumhalf Robert du Preez with just two changes made for this game with wing S’Bura Sithole and loosehead prop Juan Schoeman coming into the starting line-up.
Kick-off: 5.10pm