Sharks go old school on tour … relatively speaking

While the rest of South Africa is trying to score as many tries as they possibly can in Super Rugby this year – with varying degrees of success – the Sharks are doing it old school.

Despite scoring six tries in a magnificent 63-40 triumph over the Blues last weekend, it’s not going to be the cornerstone of their approach against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.

Currently, the Sharks’ mantra is simple: take the points whenever you can.

And flyhalf Robert du Preez jr illustrated that attitude with seven penalty goals on his way to a massive 38-point haul.

“It’s a simple strategy,” said Robert du Preez snr, the Durbanites’ head coach.

“We’ve decided to take every available point on offer. In New Zealand, you especially need to build scoreboard pressure. That paid off for us in Auckland.”

However, even if the Sharks are consciously adopting are more practical approach, the fact that they simply took all the opportunities presented to them shouldn’t be ignored.

It was an aspect they’ve worked on very hard since their two defeats in Australia.

“To be honest, it was just important for us to take our opportunities in general,” said Du Preez.

“The first couple of times we got in the Blues’ 22, we converted that pressure into points. I think the second time we had a big drive from Jean-Luc du Preez that led to Ruan Botha’s try. It’s all about your conversion rate.”

But there’s a distinct feeling the Hurricanes won’t be as charitable as their national counterparts up north.

“We’ve seen that if you’re just slightly off, you concede 50 points on the day. It happened to us against the Rebels and the Blues got that against us,” said Du Preez.

“The Hurricanes are the best team in New Zealand. We’ve got to be at our best. Our defence is going to have to be out the top drawer.”

Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Robert du Preez, Louis Schreuder, Tera Mtembu, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Stephan Lewies, Ruan Botha (c), Thomas du Toit, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Beast Mtawarira. Bench: Franco Marais, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Hyron Andrews, Tyler Paul, Cameron Wright, Marius Louw, Kobus van Wyk.

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