SA teams fighting back from ‘punch in the face’

The Sharks have been on a Cup final footing for some time as they zero in on the United Rugby Championship playoffs, and captain Thomas du Toit says they will not rest until they have secured a home quarter-final and, hopefully, a home semi-final.

The Sharks took a big step towards those goals when they beat Irish giants Leinster 28-23 last week, and now they host a tricky Connacht before concluding their pool games against another tough Irish team, Ulster, but that game will be in Belfast.

“We are not aiming just for a place in the top eight: we are aiming for a home quarter-final,” said Du Toit.

“We know the value of getting a home semi-final. We know how important it is, so we are treating every game as if it is the last game we play and a final.”

After Saturday’s match against Connacht at Kings Park, the South African teams have a fortnight’s break before finishing up overseas.

The stakes are high for the Sharks because if they lose to Ulster, they could well have to stay in Ireland for another week for a quarter-final against the same team, and everybody knows how tough it is to play at the Kingspan Stadium.

“We do face a situation where results could give us reverse scenarios, as in either we play Ulster there or they come here. You just mustn’t underestimate the value of a home quarter-final,” Du Toit said.

When the Sharks do get to Belfast for that last game, they will be in a different headspace than when they first went overseas last September, wet behind the ears.

“I think most of the South African sides are doing well now because we felt we got a punch in the face at the start of the competition, and we are fighting back from that,” said Du Toit.

“In the beginning, we didn’t know what to expect, it was all new to us. But most of the local teams have turned the tide now.

“We’ve resolved to stick to our guns and do what South African teams do well and what South African teams are good at, and it has worked for us.”

Connacht are something of the poor relation in the Irish challenge considering the reputations of Ulster, Munster and Leinster, but the reality is they are a very dangerous side that have beaten the Bulls, Stormers and Lions.

“I think Munster, Ulster and Leinster employ similar tactics, both in their attacking way and defensive stuff. They play with a lot more structure, whereas Connacht are freer with their playing style,” the Springbok front-ranker said.

“However, they are the most physical of the teams, and they are right up there with the best in the competition when it comes to physicality. So, we are preparing for that.”

Du Toit added that he is enjoying his stint as captain while Lukhanyo Am is on sabbatical in Japan and says that he remains the same player, “but just with a (c) after my name”.

“It doesn’t mean I have become the main oke, and the title hasn’t changed anything, except that maybe I do more talking now off the field,” he said.

“I do more talking off the field, but not necessarily on the field. It is especially easy to lead with teams like this, with so many young players, but mixed in with so many experienced players. The young players may need it (talk), but the experienced guys don’t.”

Du Toit said that it is easier for him to lead now that the Sharks’ pack is in forward gear after some troubled times a while ago.

“A lot of credit must go to Globus (scrum coach Akvsenti Giordgadze) and (lineout coach) Warren (Whiteley). They have simplified everything when it comes to both the scrums and the lineouts, and we have thrived on that. We obviously had a lot of work to do, but we have done that,” Du Toit said.