Du Preez: Boys looking good

With an 80% success rate in this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby competition, the Cell C Sharks are in a healthy state in the competition and following their 38-30 defeat of the Cheetahs on Saturday, are in great spirits for the next challenge.

It was a huge step up following the performance against the Kings last weekend and it puts momentum into our week of preparation ahead of the Lions game in Johannesburg this coming weekend.

The match was tight and the Cheetahs pulled into the lead for the half-time break, but then we put in a winning performance in the second half to secure a well-deserved victory.

So what was the turning point? Coach Robert du Preez felt there were a number of factors.

“I think we continued to build pressure; in the first half, we had a few opportunities early on but were unlucky not to get points early on,” he explained after the match. “But in the second half the guys really stuck to the plan. We’re happy with the win.

“It was a good improvement, the boys did really well and it’s good momentum for us going into the Lions game next week.”

There was no bonus of a bonus point, despite scoring four tries – the rules for that have changed this season – but there was no shortage of attacking mentality.

“We want to score tries and we did score four against the Cheetahs and that’s a much better performance than against the Kings when we only scored twice. You have to score tries in this tournament and you have to get bonus points, but we’re in a tough group with the Lions and Jaguares both playing good rugby.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the bonus point, but it is really tough to come here and take a win. They’re a very good side, very talented and Franco Smith is a really good coach. You’re always up against it when you play here.”

Another factor suggesting that the ball was being moved through the backline was the fact that three if the four tries were scored by the wings.

“I’m very happy the wings received ball,” said du Preez. “Kobus van Wyk scored two tries, and those were on the other wing, so it shows the boys are really working hard.”

This week, the flyhalf had better quality ball and time to move it around, as opposed to last week when Benhard Janse van Rensburg battled to get the backline going. The forwards stepped up and gave Curwin Bosch the ideal platform from which to operate.

“Curwin has BMT and comes with pedigree, but we must be patient, he’s young and we must look after him. But he’s definitely a player for the future.”

Du Preez’s summation was positive, more than relief even that they had negotiated what had been touted as probably the toughest fixture of their first five matches.

“I felt it was a huge improvement from last week, I think our set-piece functioned really well. But we gave away a couple of soft tries which is something we’re going to have to work on this week, especially against the the Lions who play the same style as the Cheetahs, just a little more dangerous so we want to be accurate with our defensive effort this week.

“The team is in good spirits, we got the momentum we were looking for so we want to take that into our game against the Lions.”

( File Photo - Gallo Images)