Cloete tough on the ball - Du Preez
Cell C Sharks have a Vodacom Super Rugby date with the Kings on Saturday.
Listen to the full interview here, or read our story below.
Chris Cloete has impressed in a fetcher role for the Kings this season to date.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, admits that Cloete is a man to watch.
"You know he is tough on the ball. We are going to have to take care of him properly to eliminate him as a threat at the breakdown. We will play our game," Du Preez said.
Reports suggest that ticket sales for the game this weekend are going well. Du Preez believes this is good news.
"It is fantastic for rugby. It is a region that has a proud history. So it is awesome to know that there will be a lot of spectators on Saturday. It is always nice to play when there is a lot of spectators," Du Preez added.
Du Preez recently described Cobus Reinach as the best scrumalf in South Africa. Yet this weekend Reinach again has to settle for a spot on the Sharks bench. Du Preez has decided to give Michael Claassens another start and explains that Claassens has earned the right.
"Michael has been playing really well. You know Cobus made eight starts until the last two games where Michael started. We wanted to reward Michael again for another good performance last week. You know it might be a different situation when we play against the Sunwolves. However, at this stage we wanted to give Michael another run. It is good to have that little bit of continuity. It is good for competition in the team," Du Preez said.
Garth April is on the Sharks bench this week. He scored two tries for the Sharks XV against the Griffons last week. Du Preez admits that April caught the eye last week.
"He unfortunately picked up that calf muscle injury that took a little bit more time to heal than it should have. He did play well against the Griffons and that is why he is back," Du Preez said.
The Kings have cashed in on turn-overs and have impressed in broken play this season. Du Preez feels denying the Kings turn-over ball will be important this weekend.
"That is the way they play. They are a really good side. They have some really good rugby players in that team. Some of those guys have been here in Durban before and I am sure they have a point to prove," Du Preez concluded.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, admits that Cloete is a man to watch.
"You know he is tough on the ball. We are going to have to take care of him properly to eliminate him as a threat at the breakdown. We will play our game," Du Preez said.
Reports suggest that ticket sales for the game this weekend are going well. Du Preez believes this is good news.
"It is fantastic for rugby. It is a region that has a proud history. So it is awesome to know that there will be a lot of spectators on Saturday. It is always nice to play when there is a lot of spectators," Du Preez added.
Du Preez recently described Cobus Reinach as the best scrumalf in South Africa. Yet this weekend Reinach again has to settle for a spot on the Sharks bench. Du Preez has decided to give Michael Claassens another start and explains that Claassens has earned the right.
"Michael has been playing really well. You know Cobus made eight starts until the last two games where Michael started. We wanted to reward Michael again for another good performance last week. You know it might be a different situation when we play against the Sunwolves. However, at this stage we wanted to give Michael another run. It is good to have that little bit of continuity. It is good for competition in the team," Du Preez said.
Garth April is on the Sharks bench this week. He scored two tries for the Sharks XV against the Griffons last week. Du Preez admits that April caught the eye last week.
"He unfortunately picked up that calf muscle injury that took a little bit more time to heal than it should have. He did play well against the Griffons and that is why he is back," Du Preez said.
The Kings have cashed in on turn-overs and have impressed in broken play this season. Du Preez feels denying the Kings turn-over ball will be important this weekend.
"That is the way they play. They are a really good side. They have some really good rugby players in that team. Some of those guys have been here in Durban before and I am sure they have a point to prove," Du Preez concluded.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre