Sharks handed double boost
T WO welcome faces at Sharks training yesterday were hooker Pieter Dixon, who has been cleared by a Saru disciplinary hearing to play against the Cheetahs this week, and Springbok wing JP Pietersen, who looks to be just about over the hand injury that has kept him out of rugby for the past six weeks.
Dixon was on the carpet after having been red-carded in the match against the Bulls for “accidentally” striking a Bulls player on the head with his boot, and it has been determined that the sending-off was sufficient punishment. He is free to play this week.
Pietersen was undergoing his first full field session since having surgery on his hand, and the Sharks management are now waiting to see if he suffered any adverse reaction to handling the ball.
Hugh Reece-Edwards, the backline coach, said: “We don’t know if he’s back, we’ll know more today after we’ve seen how he feels after getting though some work. We’d obviously love him to be available, but he needs to get clearance from the medical team. If he is fit, he will play.”
The Sharks will revert to the backline that was due to start against the Bulls last week but which was revised at the last minute because of the heavy rain. Fullback Riaan Viljoen reverted to flyhalf due to his proven boot in the wet.
This week he is likely to drop out of the starting XV with Meyer Bosman back at 10, Tim Whitehead at inside centre and alongside him Paul Jordaan, with in-form Louis Ludik continuing at fullback.
The Sharks play the game at the odd time of 7.15pm on Saturday, just after the Springboks v All Blacks match that kicks off at 5pm.
“We were approached and asked if we’d play at 2pm, which is before the Test, but it’s certainly not in our interests to go up to the Highveld and play so close to midday in the heat,” Reece-Edwards said.
“We’ve planned for a 7.15pm fixture and have played a lot of games at that time this season, so it didn’t seem to make rugby sense to make a change,’ he explained.
The coach explained that this weekend was probably the one that would let teams know where they could finish next weekend going into the semi-finals.
“We could still be in the hunt for top spot provided we get the win, and the Cheetahs could also be in the hunt for fourth place if they get the result. If they don’t they could be in danger of having to play the promotion-relegation series,” Reece-Edwards said.
“So for both sides it’s an absolutely vital game, but the pressure is on us to play our game and make sure we can go and deliver because we’ve been far too inconsistent when we’ve played at altitude.”
The Sharks have had only one away win this season, down in Cape Town in the first round, and that was at sea level, so this is a big game for them.
“Our seniors need to go there and put their hands up so the juniors can follow them,” Reece-Edwards said.
“If we look at our away record: against the Lions we were up and then threw it away. Against the Bulls we were right in it and just lost out. Against Griquas, we came up against a side that was full of mongrel and really wanted the result. These away fixtures at altitude are possibly fixtures where we’ve gone with the expectation that we can do well, and although I wouldn’t say we were complacent, it just didn’t go the way we wanted.
“We know we’ve come unstuck against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in the past, but we’ve also learnt how to get a winning result there. It’s a massive game for both sides, and it should be a great clash.”
Regarding the threat of the
PICTURES: STEVE HAAG/GALLO IMAGES Cheetahs players, ReeceEdwards pointed out the threat of Raymond Rhule on the wing.
“He has been really exciting and is a tremendous prospect. He’s had a great season so far. They’ve also used fullback Hennie Danniller quite a bit. Scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius is nippy and has got a big point to prove at the moment.
“They are probably their three biggest threats in the backline.”