Jaguares win a momentum changer - Du Preez
Cell C Sharks will host the Force in Vodacom Super Rugby action tomorrow (Saturday).
Listen to the full interview here, or read our story below.
Kickoff in Durban is at 15h05 and the match will be refereed by Rasta Rasivhenge.
The Sharks beat the Jaguares is Buenos Aires last weekend.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, believes the win in Argentina should have a big impact on the season.
"I think that game was a momentum changer. Certainly for our team. It was a very important win. It helped us with our log standings. We are very pleased with that win. We are especially pleased with the way the boys played," Du Preez said.
The Sharks drew with the Rebels just a week before their impressive win in Argentina.
Du Preez revealed that he asked his players for much improved performances in the wake of their draw in Durban.
"We were very disappointed after the Rebels game. We asked for big individual performances in Argentina and our forwards did exactly that. Argentina is a tough place to go and play and you had better make the best of it. You will come second otherwise. I think our guys were really up for the challenge and we had an enjoyable tour," Du Preez added.
Du Preez started with a number of his experienced players on the bench in Argentina. He said the decision to do so had already been made before the draw with the Rebels.
"I told the guys before the Rebels game that we needed to rotate some guys. This to give some other guys an opportunity to start. After the Rebels game I did not want to go back on my word. So we did rotate. I have to say that all 25 who went on tour were outstanding," Du Preez said.
ALSO READ - Lambie back for Sharks
Jeremy Ward started at inside centre in Argentina and impressed head coach Du Preez.
"He was very good. Especially in the second half. I thought he played very well. Jeremy is a really good communicator," Du Preez said.
The Sharks are now eight points clear of the Jaguares in the Africa Conference 2.
Du Preez does not believe this necessarily frees them up to chase bonus point wins.
"I think what we have certainly learned the hard way is that there is no easy game in this competition. We have always said that and so we will take one game at a time. I don't want to look ahead. You know we have the Force to contend with this weekend and that is going to be a massive focus for us. We owe our fans a big one this weekend. That is what we are planning to do," Du Preez added.
Patrick Lambie is back from injury and is on the Sharks' bench for the game against the Force. Du Preez is delighted to have Lambie back in the fold.
"It is great news. We are very pleased to have Pat back. He is in good spirits and is looking great," Du Preez said.
Curwin Bosch is in the Junior Springbok squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia. Du Preez explains that the Sharks will be without the young flyhalf for several weeks.
"He will be called up for a national training camp after our game against the Force. I think they are getting together on Sunday and so he will be away for the whole week next week. This means he will most likely not play against the Kings. He will also miss the following game against the Sunwolves and will also miss our game against the Stormers. So this coming Saturday will be his last game for us before the Junior Springboks go on tour. They will leave on 25 May. That is two days before we play the Stormers," Du Preez said.
Philip van der Walt captained the Sharks in Argentina and will again lead the Sharks against the Force this weekend. Du Preez is happy for the loose forward.
"It is great for Philip. You know he has always been one of the leaders in the squad. He had a very good game in Argentina and leads by example. I think he is the best openside flanker in South Africa at the moment. Tera Mtembu brings another dimension when he plays. It is good to have guys like that in our set-up," Du Preez added.
Sibusiso Nkosi will make his Super Rugby debut on the left wing for the Sharks this weekend. Du Preez revealed that he almost picked Nkosi to start against the Jaguares last weekend.
"It was touch-and-go for the game against the Jaguares. We decided in the end to go with Odwa Ndungane. This due to the experience that Odwa brings. However, now Sibusiso is getting an opportunity at home. I am sure he is raring to go," Du Preez concluded.
The Sharks beat the Jaguares is Buenos Aires last weekend.
Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, believes the win in Argentina should have a big impact on the season.
"I think that game was a momentum changer. Certainly for our team. It was a very important win. It helped us with our log standings. We are very pleased with that win. We are especially pleased with the way the boys played," Du Preez said.
The Sharks drew with the Rebels just a week before their impressive win in Argentina.
Du Preez revealed that he asked his players for much improved performances in the wake of their draw in Durban.
"We were very disappointed after the Rebels game. We asked for big individual performances in Argentina and our forwards did exactly that. Argentina is a tough place to go and play and you had better make the best of it. You will come second otherwise. I think our guys were really up for the challenge and we had an enjoyable tour," Du Preez added.
Du Preez started with a number of his experienced players on the bench in Argentina. He said the decision to do so had already been made before the draw with the Rebels.
"I told the guys before the Rebels game that we needed to rotate some guys. This to give some other guys an opportunity to start. After the Rebels game I did not want to go back on my word. So we did rotate. I have to say that all 25 who went on tour were outstanding," Du Preez said.
ALSO READ - Lambie back for Sharks
Jeremy Ward started at inside centre in Argentina and impressed head coach Du Preez.
"He was very good. Especially in the second half. I thought he played very well. Jeremy is a really good communicator," Du Preez said.
The Sharks are now eight points clear of the Jaguares in the Africa Conference 2.
Du Preez does not believe this necessarily frees them up to chase bonus point wins.
"I think what we have certainly learned the hard way is that there is no easy game in this competition. We have always said that and so we will take one game at a time. I don't want to look ahead. You know we have the Force to contend with this weekend and that is going to be a massive focus for us. We owe our fans a big one this weekend. That is what we are planning to do," Du Preez added.
Patrick Lambie is back from injury and is on the Sharks' bench for the game against the Force. Du Preez is delighted to have Lambie back in the fold.
"It is great news. We are very pleased to have Pat back. He is in good spirits and is looking great," Du Preez said.
Curwin Bosch is in the Junior Springbok squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia. Du Preez explains that the Sharks will be without the young flyhalf for several weeks.
"He will be called up for a national training camp after our game against the Force. I think they are getting together on Sunday and so he will be away for the whole week next week. This means he will most likely not play against the Kings. He will also miss the following game against the Sunwolves and will also miss our game against the Stormers. So this coming Saturday will be his last game for us before the Junior Springboks go on tour. They will leave on 25 May. That is two days before we play the Stormers," Du Preez said.
Philip van der Walt captained the Sharks in Argentina and will again lead the Sharks against the Force this weekend. Du Preez is happy for the loose forward.
"It is great for Philip. You know he has always been one of the leaders in the squad. He had a very good game in Argentina and leads by example. I think he is the best openside flanker in South Africa at the moment. Tera Mtembu brings another dimension when he plays. It is good to have guys like that in our set-up," Du Preez added.
Sibusiso Nkosi will make his Super Rugby debut on the left wing for the Sharks this weekend. Du Preez revealed that he almost picked Nkosi to start against the Jaguares last weekend.
"It was touch-and-go for the game against the Jaguares. We decided in the end to go with Odwa Ndungane. This due to the experience that Odwa brings. However, now Sibusiso is getting an opportunity at home. I am sure he is raring to go," Du Preez concluded.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre