Sharks go for max
Home side want maximum log points against struggling Kings
AFTER rolling over some of the minor teams in this year’s Currie Cup, the Sharks have felt the sting of the bigger unions more recently, leaving them with some work to do to secure a play-off spot.
Today’s match against the Kings (3pm, at Kings Park) is their penultimate chance to collect some much-needed log points before a tricky encounter against the Lions in a fortnight’s time.
As it stands, the Sharks are second on 20 points, with the Cheetahs seemingly out of reach ahead of them after another win against the Lions on Thursday.
Sitting behind the Durban outfit are the Bulls, also on 20 points, and the Griquas one point back, but with a game in hand. The Lions are further back with 17 points in fifth.
After starting their campaign so well the Sharks will still be hoping for a home semifinal, and as such should be looking for maximum points at home against the Kings. Although the Lions have been very much up and down this season, they will be a tough prospect at Ellis Park in the final group-stage clash.
There is no doubting that the Kings are ripe for the taking, still winless through their five games, but the Sharks need to be more worried about their own frailties.
Injuries have struck them hard, with many of those lost being senior, influential players. Captain Keegan Daniel, along with two stand-in captains, Odwa Ndungane and Philip van der Walt, are unavailable, leaving the leadership role this week to Chiliboy Ralepelle.
Luckily, in the reserves there is a firm Sharks and South African favourite, Pat Lambie. His presence and calmness off the bench will give a lot of confidence to a team stacked with youngsters.
Coach Robert du Preez has made a few other changes, with a new front row forming around the new captain. Thomas du Toit shifts to the loosehead after struggling against the Cheetahs, with John-Hubert Meyer taking the No 3 jersey. Khaya Majola starts for the first time, after playing 79 minutes as a replacement last time out. And Francois Kleinhans shifts to No 8.
The wings also look different because of injuries. Rhyno Smith and Wandile Mjekevu come into the fray, with Michael Claassens adding some much-needed experience to the backline.
Du Preez said that, injuries apart, all the other changes had been done as part of a rotation, providing a break for some of his busier players.
“We just need to be clear on that. No one has been dropped,” he said.
The changes in the front row appear to be sensible. Meyer, although relatively unknown, is a dependable and immovable tighthead, and Du Toit admits he is still learning his craft at No 3. The Baby Bok star is often seen as more effective at loosehead, and Ralepelle has always been known as a good scrumaging hooker.
“Scrums have been a big focus for us this week,” said the coach. “Our set pieces in general – we learnt a lot from last week, especially at scrum time.
“The Kings are playing with a lot of passion and have a very good coach in Barend Pieterse.
“This is a very important game for us. We are taking it very seriously – we know what EP have done against the Bulls. We need to hit our straps and use our opportunities.”