Sharks coach is going for broke

SIGNAL OF INTENT: DU PREEZ MAKES EIGHT CHANGES

Griquas are always a tough nut to crack on their own pitch.

Sharks coach Robert du Preez has made eight changes to his team for their Currie Cup showdown with Griquas in Kimberley tomorrow, but it is hard to know if these are all just because they are going there or whether it is a response to their heavy defeat at the hands of defending champions Western Province in their last match.

The most notable of the changes is at flyhalf, where Curwin Bosch will start, with Robert du Preez shifting to inside centre. The exciting Aphelele Fassi will be wearing the No 15 jersey. Will that trio also be there for a Currie Cup semifinal? It’s an interesting prospect.

“We obviously wanted to give Curwin a run at flyhalf, he is our back-up ten. It’s a nice opportunity for him this weekend and hopefully he will get a full game at flyhalf.

“Fassi slots in at fullback, he’s done really well for us off the bench and he needs a proper run.

“We also wanted to look at Rob at inside centre, he’s played there before. He’s probably a bit different to Marius Louw, who we know will always give you 150%. But we want to see how that combination of Curwin, Robert and Jeremy Ward goes,” coach Robert du Preez senior said yesterday.

Sbu Nkosi was with the Springboks for the home leg of the Rugby Championship but was unused, so he will be eager to star once again for the Sharks on the wing.

“Sbu is really keen to get a run too, it’s great to have him back and he’s trained really well this week. And it’s really important that we give the boys on the bench a chance, such as guys like Akker van der Merwe and Coenie Oosthuizen.

“That’s two Springboks getting a start and it will be important for them to have an extended run. Daniel du Preez has also come back a bit earlier than we thought and is keen to have a go,” the coach said. Bench: