Sharks young guns rise to challenge — coach
● Fringe players get chance to shine in Preparation Series
Playing with fire and enthusiasm, the Sharks’ young guns rose to the challenge when they helped their team beat Griquas 35-10 in Durban on Sunday, coach Sean Everitt said.
Like other teams in the competition, the Sharks are using the Preparation Cup to give fringe players a chance to shine.
Those who grabbed the opportunity with both hands were Murray Koster, Khuthuzani Mchunu, Thaakir Abrahams and JJ van der Mescht.
“I’m very happy for the youngsters who played against the Pumas,” Everitt said.
“They only had two full days preparation and I thought the intent to play with ball in hand tonight was there.
“The weather allowed it and that’s the route we wanted to go.
“But we did turn over a lot of ball, and if we were playing better teams, they would have punished us.
“But I was very happy with the positivity shown and the energy after being on a threeweek break.
“Ntuthuko Mchunu is a convert from eighthman and it was his first senior game at prop. He came on and won us a scrum penalty, so I thought he was outstanding in the energy that he displayed, not only in the scrum but in the ballcarries and defence.
“There was also a good performance from Murray Koster, who made his debut, and young Thaakir Abrahams, who came on and scored a nice try.
“On the whole, we are happy with the performance and this team will grow.
“We know if a team stays together for a period of time they will only get better.
“They would all have liked more opportunities in the Currie Cup.
“And when they got it, you could see why they were so energised on the field.
“They are now fighting for positions for the latter part of this Preparation Series.
“Competition is going to be fierce when we start selecting our better team at the end.”
Apart from the youngsters, several of the Sharks senior brigade showed off their skills.
Captain Jeremy Ward, Werner Kok and Aphelele Fassi all proved to be a handful for the Griquas defence.
It had been almost a month since the Sharks were last in action, when they played in the Carling Currie Cup final.
Everitt is using the Preparation Series to get his players valuable game time ahead of the Rainbow Cup tournament.
SA’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, said the timing of the Rainbow Cup was perfect as the Springboks prepared to face the British and Irish Lions.
The Guinness PRO14 and SA Rugby have confirmed that four SA teams — the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers — will join the PRO14 in the coming months.
The PRO14 campaign is now set to end in March, with the Rainbow Cup kicking off in April.
The Rainbow Cup will see 16 teams divided into two pools of eight, made up of two Irish, two SA, two Welsh, one Italian and one Scottish club.
Each team will play one game against each pool opponent and the sides that finish top of their pools will face-off in a final on June 19.