Beast spearheads new-look Sharks pack
Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira will captain the Cell C Sharks in their first 2016 Super Rugby clash and has vowed to lead from the front in the absence of Pat Lambie.
With the Springbok and Sharks flyhalf recovering from surgery on his shoulder, Mtawarira will lead the Sharks in the coming weeks. Known as a relatively quiet customer, ‘Beast’ vowed to lead by example while calling on the help of a number of senior players in the side.
“Firstly it’s a massive honour; it’s something I’m definitely not taking for granted. I’m stepping into some big shoes, as Pat was doing a great job so I’m honoured to be given the armband for this weekend,” Beast said.
“I think I’ve got the right kind of guys behind me, there are a lot of experienced guys in the team. Guys like Odwa (Ndungane) and Marcell (Coetzee) will help me, obviously I’m learning as I go because it’s a new role for me. The most important thing for me is that I lead by actions and play well on the field,” the loosehead prop said.
Beast spearheads a very different looking Sharks pack from seasons past. Springbok tighthead Coenie Oosthuizen fills the void left by Jannie du Plessis, while young hooker Franco Marais will do his best to emulate Jannie’s brother Bismarck – the pair are plying their trade in France.
That sets up a front row which was large unchanged, before the Du Plessis’ departure, for the better half of a decade. Nevertheless Mtawarira was confident that his new front row partners would prove their mettle.
“Obviously there are new faces in the front row but I think our progression has been really good. A guy like Coenie has come into the setup and has really settled in. Franco and Kyle have really stepped up in the preseason and they had a great tour in France,” Mtawarira said.
“The boys have really stepped up so the real challenge comes on Saturday. We’ve worked hard on our scrumming and set pieces. We’ve scrummed a lot this week even when we’re doing our normal plays on the field, everything has been drilled into us and it’s time to take it onto the field and start this new era as a front row,” the skipper said.
The Sharks face the Southern Kings on Saturday. Kickoff is at 15h05.
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