Positive signs for Sharks

THERE were two significant facts that emerged from the Sharks’ bedraggled but emphatic 53-0 romp in the rain with the Eastern Province Kings at Kings Park at the weekend.

In fact three things, the least of which is that the Kings are pitifully poor and in danger of being a suicidal inclusion in Super Rugby next year.

Let’s go back to the positive, and the Sharks. They took the regulation five points off the visitors, they stuck to their structures in difficult conditions and played some lovely rugby and, accompanied by a rousing roar from the five thousand in the stands, Patrick Lambie made his comeback.

Sharks coach Robert du Preez said that Lambie’s return from three months of concussion would be closely monitored, not only by the Sharks, but very much by the Springbok coaching staff.

“It was not ideal for Pat to make his comeback in those conditions, but he did really well (he came on in the 46th minute), and we will be contacting Allister Coetzee this week to see what his plans are for Pat regarding the remaining Rugby Championship games.”

Du Preez said he was pleased with the way his team had gone about thumping the Kings in terrible conditions.

“We really wanted to get back to playing the way we have always planned,” the coach said. “We have deviated from that. We showed patience in sticking to our structures, and it paid dividends.”

The Sharks are in second position, tied on 25 points with the Bulls, who are almost certain to beat Boland on Friday night, while the Lions will surely take maximum points from a visit to the Kings on Saturday.

What all of this means is that if the Sharks are to secure a home-semi-final by finishing second on the log, they will have to beat the Lions at Ellis Park on September 30.

For that game, Du Preez confirmed that his team would have back from injury Keegan Daniel, Stephan Lewies and Philip van der Walt.