Crucial fortnight for Sharks
The Cell C Sharks have two weeks of massive South African derbies ahead of them and the fixtures could have a telling mark on their ambitions for the season.
Gary Gold’s charges face the Stormers on Saturday in what promises to be one of the clashes of the season. It’s the only time the two sides will meet in this year’s competition and there will be bragging rights to play for as well as crucial log points in the South African group.
With the Lions having claimed two wins away from home, the Sharks need to follow suit in Cape Town and Pretoria. Victories away from home against teams in their group are the highest priority this season and Gold believes the Sharks are well into their stride going into round three.
“The season is now well and truly underway and we will start to see how the South African pecking order shapes up over the next couple of weeks. From our point of view, with respect to the other two opposition teams, this is going to be our sternest test of Super Rugby to date,” Gold said.
Momentum is with the Sharks as they build upon two solid wins over the Kings and Jaguars. Last weekend’s clash against the Argentinian outfit was by far the tougher of the two and the Sharks had to defend tirelessly towards the end of the match to etch out a win.
A gutsy win over the Jaguars may have served as the right type of preparation ahead of two bruising derbies. Considering their recent results, the Sharks boss thinks they are up to the task of upsetting the Stormers at Newlands.
“I’m probably more excited than I am nervous,” Gold said.
“This is why we work so hard, this is what the players play for. I just feel incredibly energised to have such a test of where we are in the season. I’ve got a lot of respect for the Stormers and I think they’re a team a good couple of years ahead of us in terms of their progression and development in the continuity of coaches – now that Alistair (Coetzee) is gone and Robbie Fleck has taken over.”
A year ago, the Sharks were struggling with injuries which led a torrid start to the season. Three weeks into the 2016 campaign and Gold has only had to make one enforced change to his starting XV, as Lwazi Mvovo nurses an ankle injury.
The Sharks will benefit from continuity in selection while the Stormers hope that the four changes to their side doesn’t cause too much of a disruption.
“The guys have delivered to date. What kind of credibility would we have as coaches if we just make random changes for the sake of it? You also have the rare opportunity to keep the unity and cohesion together and we want to use that as much as we can,” Gold said.
“Three games in a row is a nice run to have.”
But take nothing away from the Stormers – who are also on a
two match winning streak. Despite Kurt Coleman replacing the injured Rob du
Preez at flyhalf, the Cape outfit still have Springbok laden line-up.
Fans will be served up another bruising forward tussle and the Sharks will be tasked with nullifying the incumbent Springbok and Stormers lock pairing of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth.
The Stormers locks have been in excellent form but Sharks captain Beast Mtawarira believes Stephan Lewies and Etienne Oosthuizen have done enough homework to keep their opposite numbers in check.
“It’s going to be a huge set piece battle. The Stormers have got two world class locks and we know exactly what we are up against. Lewies is a really clever guy; he’s already changed the calls because Pieter-Steph will know most of the stuff. We’re well prepared from that point of view, Stephan and Etienne are ready to step up,” Mtawarira said.
The Sharks face the Stormers at 17h15 on Saturday.
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