Sharks have their template, now they need to stick to it
Robert du Preez's troops were superb in this past weekend's first half against the Lions, but Saturday's top-of-the-table clash can't see another fade-away.
Ross Cronje (captain) of the Xerox Golden Lions tackling Kobus van Wyk of the Cell C Sharks during the Currie Cup match between Cell C Sharks and Xerox Golden Lions XV at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Staying in their structures and with their game plan, like they did in their brilliant first half against the Golden Lions but not so much after the break, will be crucial if the Sharks are going to beat inform Western Province in their
Currie Cup match in Cape Town this weekend, according to coach Robert du Preez.
Playing in pouring rain (which might be good practice for their Newlands top-of-the-table clash), the focused Sharks were scintillating in racing into a 30-7 half-time lead against the Golden Lions, but they allowed their opposition back into the game in the second half, eventually winning 37-21.
“It was a fantastic performance, especially in the first half when the guys really stuck to the structure and were very patient, which is something we’ve worked hard on. We lost our way a bit in the second half with all the changes, but we needed to give players like Coenie Oosthuizen, Jacques Vermeulen and Sbu Nkosi some much-needed game time. But it was the step-up we’ve been waiting for.
“They played some really good rugby and we controlled the game well. The territory game of Louis Schreuder, Robert du Preez and Curwin Bosch was outstanding. But we know we’ve got to put two halves like that together against
Western Province.
“We got a little bit loose and unstructured in the second half, but we are a good team when we keep to our structures,” Du Preez Senior said.
In terms of the competition, Saturday’s match in Cape Town will probably decide who finishes first and second in the standings, although Western Province do face a tricky visit to Loftus Versfeld to take on the Blue Bulls in their final
fixture. The Sharks travel to Kimberley to play Griquas in their last round-robin game.
“To win the Currie Cup for the first time since 2013 is what we’re going for, that would be fantastic. But we have to take those opportunities against Western Province, we need to use our possession more cleverly. We really need to win this next game to secure a home semi-final.” Du Preez said.
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