Jaguares are a Test team - Du Preez
Cell C Sharks will host the Jaguares in Vodacom Super Rugby action in Durban tomorrow.
Listen to the full interview here, or read our story below.
Kickoff is at 15h05.
The Sharks and Jaguares are level in the standings, but the Jaguares have played a game less.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, believes the Jaguares are a team of note.
"We need to be physical against the Jaguares. This game will be massive from a physicality point of view. We will be playing against a full-blown Test team," Du Preez said.
The Sharks lost narrowly to the Lions last weekend and Du Preez feels they have bounced back quickly from their Johannesburg disappointment.
"As you know 13 of our guys went to the Springbok camp on Sunday morning. So there was not really time to be too disappointed. We are obviously disappointed, but I think the players got over it quite quickly," Du Preez added.
Du Preez feels that his players were guilty of lapses of discipline against the Lions.
"I think our discipline was an area of concern against the Lions. We really have to be more vigilant when it comes to discipline. We should not be giving away that many penalties. We need to keep our tackles low. You cannot touch anything on the shoulders," Du Preez said.
The Sharks were without several players called up to the Springbok camp this week and Du Preez admits to their absence having somewhat of an impact on training.
"Look we basically only had today's (Thursday) practice and tomorrow we have our captain's run. So in a way it is disruptive. However, we understand the bigger picture. It is also a great privilege for the boys to have gone to a Bok camp. You know 13 of our guys made it and we are very pleased with that," Du Preez said.
Du Preez feels that the Bok camp had proved less intensive than expected.
"It was not as intense as I thought it would be. We are happy with what was done there. We have all the data and the GPS recordings. The boys are okay," Du Preez added.
Philip van der Walt has recovered from his injury and has been picked to start on the Sharks bench against the Jaguares. Du Preez is delighted to have Van der Walt back in the mix this week.
"It is fantastic to have Philip back. I know he has been chomping at the bit to play. It is great to have him back in the set-up. He is a leader and also a quality player. Jacques Vermeulen misses out and he is very unlucky. Jacques really hasn't done anything wrong," Du Preez said.
Du Preez believes the Sharks have a physical pack and yet also knows that they will have to exercise discipline in being physical.
"You know we have a formidable pack and our pack plays with a lot of aggression. However, we have to be aggressive within the boundaries," Du Preez warned.
A win this weekend will lift the Sharks above the Jaguares in the standings. Du Preez does not believe this means added pressure for his players.
"I want the guys to have the freedom to go out and play. We have been making good progress. I don't want the guys to hold back. We had a great training session today. There is such a good spirit in the camp. We have to take this onto the field. A win this weekend is obviously very important. We certainly don't want to disappoint the fans at Growthpoint Kings Park," Du Preez said.
The Jaguares have impressed Du Preez this season and he feels they are a far better side than they were in 2016.
"They are definitely much improved. They look more like the Pumas. It is basically the same team. I think there is just one guy who hasn't played Test rugby - The scrumhalf. The rest are all Test players. There has certainly been a big step up for them," Du Preez concluded.
The Sharks and Jaguares are level in the standings, but the Jaguares have played a game less.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, believes the Jaguares are a team of note.
"We need to be physical against the Jaguares. This game will be massive from a physicality point of view. We will be playing against a full-blown Test team," Du Preez said.
The Sharks lost narrowly to the Lions last weekend and Du Preez feels they have bounced back quickly from their Johannesburg disappointment.
"As you know 13 of our guys went to the Springbok camp on Sunday morning. So there was not really time to be too disappointed. We are obviously disappointed, but I think the players got over it quite quickly," Du Preez added.
Du Preez feels that his players were guilty of lapses of discipline against the Lions.
"I think our discipline was an area of concern against the Lions. We really have to be more vigilant when it comes to discipline. We should not be giving away that many penalties. We need to keep our tackles low. You cannot touch anything on the shoulders," Du Preez said.
The Sharks were without several players called up to the Springbok camp this week and Du Preez admits to their absence having somewhat of an impact on training.
"Look we basically only had today's (Thursday) practice and tomorrow we have our captain's run. So in a way it is disruptive. However, we understand the bigger picture. It is also a great privilege for the boys to have gone to a Bok camp. You know 13 of our guys made it and we are very pleased with that," Du Preez said.
Du Preez feels that the Bok camp had proved less intensive than expected.
"It was not as intense as I thought it would be. We are happy with what was done there. We have all the data and the GPS recordings. The boys are okay," Du Preez added.
Philip van der Walt has recovered from his injury and has been picked to start on the Sharks bench against the Jaguares. Du Preez is delighted to have Van der Walt back in the mix this week.
"It is fantastic to have Philip back. I know he has been chomping at the bit to play. It is great to have him back in the set-up. He is a leader and also a quality player. Jacques Vermeulen misses out and he is very unlucky. Jacques really hasn't done anything wrong," Du Preez said.
Du Preez believes the Sharks have a physical pack and yet also knows that they will have to exercise discipline in being physical.
"You know we have a formidable pack and our pack plays with a lot of aggression. However, we have to be aggressive within the boundaries," Du Preez warned.
A win this weekend will lift the Sharks above the Jaguares in the standings. Du Preez does not believe this means added pressure for his players.
"I want the guys to have the freedom to go out and play. We have been making good progress. I don't want the guys to hold back. We had a great training session today. There is such a good spirit in the camp. We have to take this onto the field. A win this weekend is obviously very important. We certainly don't want to disappoint the fans at Growthpoint Kings Park," Du Preez said.
The Jaguares have impressed Du Preez this season and he feels they are a far better side than they were in 2016.
"They are definitely much improved. They look more like the Pumas. It is basically the same team. I think there is just one guy who hasn't played Test rugby - The scrumhalf. The rest are all Test players. There has certainly been a big step up for them," Du Preez concluded.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre