Sharks fresh ahead of Lions decider
A well timed bye seems to have come at just the right time as the Cell C Sharks prepare for a do-or-die Currie Cup clash with the Lions this Friday.
The Durban outfit sat out of the penultimate round of the regular Currie Cup season, while the Cheetahs continued their unbeaten run in the tournament and sealed their spot on top of the log on Saturday.
The Blue Bulls played their last game of the round robin stages, and sit second on the log (30 points) with a five point lead ahead of the third-placed Sharks (25 points). The Lions trail the Sharks by three points on the log – so only a win will give the Sharks a chance to make the semi-finals.
With the stakes so high, the timing of the Sharks’ bye couldn’t have come at a better time. Some of their players desperately needed a break after a gruelling seven weeks of rugby while the break gave a couple of injured players an extra week to return to fitness.
The Sharks pack will be buoyed by the return of captain Keegan Daniel, Stephan Lewies as well as Philip van der Walt. All three players have been vital cogs in the Sharks engine room.
Meanwhile fresh news out of the Springbok camp is that Pat Lambie will be involved in their Rugby Championship Test this Saturday – which means the Sharks won’t have his experience to fall back on.
Nevertheless, Friday’s match is likely to serve up another South African slug-fest up front. Both packs have been impressive this season and Sharks veteran flank Jean Deysel believes the match will be decided in the forwards.
“Those are the fun ones – when it’s everything or nothing,” Deysel said.
“It’s do-or-die for us and for them and we are looking forward to it but I guarantee that they are too. Those are the games you want to be involved in, the tough ones; those are the ones you remember.”
Nursing a small niggle himself, Deysel agreed that their bye-week came at the right time of the season.
“Any break is a welcome one. The boys bodies were a bit sore, we had some guys that played 80 minutes almost every weekend so I think the break came at the right time. On the other hand, it can stop our momentum but I think for us it was a good break, the guys came back today with renewed fire and gave everything at training.”
While his time on the field has been limited due to various injuries, Deysel insisted that he was in finally in good health and was looking forward to helping the Sharks book a spot in the knockout stages of the Currie Cup.
“It all started last year and this year was up and down for me as well. At the end of the day you can only prepare as best you can. I’m feeling good, despite a set-back in training which kept me out of action for a week. For me, it’s about getting as strong and fit as I can and hopefully we can stay in the tournament a little longer then take it through to next year.”
With the winner taking all this weekend, one wouldn’t blame the Sharks for adopting a more conservative approach for the clash. However, coach Rob du Preez has placed massive emphasis on playing more expansively and the Sharks have adopted that approach well this year.
While a victory is top priority, Deysel said that the Sharks wouldn’t retreat into their shell for a more passive approach to Friday’s game.
“I still believe you have to score tries. Obviously there will be things to change and work on for each team you play, but I don’t think we have to move away from the core values that we want to push through from the Currie Cup into Super Rugby.
“It is knockout rugby, but I don’t think you have to add the pressure of it being a must win game, you still have to go there and beat every team. If you get it right this weekend, you still have to do it again for another two weeks.”
The Sharks face the Lions at Ellis Park on Friday – kickoff is at 17h00.