Sharks pack growing nicely - Oosthuizen
Etienne Oosthuizen is set to make his 50th appearance for the Cell C Sharks this weekend.
Listen to the full interview here, or read our story below.
The Sharks will host the Stormers in Vodacom Super Rugby action in Durban.
Marius van der Westhuizen will referee a match scheduled to start at 17h15 on Saturday afternoon.
Sharks lock forward, Oosthuizen, believes their pack has grown nicely this season.
"The more games you play together, the more you understand one another. We started the season as a new pack and finding our feet took a while. I think we are at a stage now where we understand one another. We know what makes one another work," Oosthuizen said.
The Sharks and Stormers tend to like imposing themselves in the forwards and Oosthuizen expects a tough battle up-front at Growthpoint Kings Park.
"It is going to be physical. We will have to do some hard yards. Yet there are 15 players in each side. We have to do our part, so the backs can do their part," Oosthuizen added.
The Sharks and Stormers have both impressed at line-out time this season. Oosthuizen feels there will be an expectation for the Sharks to again produce the goods at this set-piece.
"It is going to be a battle. They have two good locks and we have good locks. At the end of the day, we have to stick to our processes and do what we have done all season. We need to do what has worked for us. I think getting this process right will get you the result in the end," Oosthuizen said.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has played lock for the Sharks in the past and is now in the Stormers squad. Oosthuizen does not believe this will have a big impact on the line-outs this weekend.
"Ruan (Botha) also has experience of what happened at the Stormers. So it can go both ways. I think that with a new year and a new season there is a fresh start. You try to innovate and make it more personal to your team and to the personnel that you have. So I think it is not nearly the same as it was when Pieter-Steph was here. We have a new system and I think the Stormers have a new system. We simply have to do our part," Oosthuizen added.
The Stormers struggled in New Zealand recently and yet Oosthuizen does not read too much into their struggles there. He believes the Sharks must focus on their own game.
"I think we just have to play our game. I think we have to play with intensity. I think a lot will depend of who makes less errors and gives away less penalties," Oosthuizen said.
Stormers lock forward, Eben Etzebeth, is known for his physicality. Oosthuizen feels the Sharks have to fight fire with fire, but in a sensible manner.
"It is about controlled aggression. You certainly don't want to be silly in giving away too many penalties or incurring yellow cards. So I think it is all about composure. You just have to keep your head and not allow an opponent to get under your skin," Oosthuizen added.
The Sharks have three quality locks in Oosthuizen, Ruan Botha and Stephan Lewies. Oosthuizen feels they work together well.
"I think we have a good combination going. We have in the team what we need and then have another guy coming on who can make an impact. We have a good mix and compliment one another well. I also think we have a structure going now and it doesn't matter who slots in where, because we understand what we need to do," Oosthuizen said.
The Sharks also have some tall loose forwards who can take ball in the line-out. Oosthuizen believes this is an advantage.
"I think that is maybe why we have been one of the top line-outs in the Super Rugby competition this season. We do have a lot of options and a lot of good jumpers. We also have a system that works. Everybody needs to stick to it and we will take it from there," Oosthuizen concluded.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Marius van der Westhuizen will referee a match scheduled to start at 17h15 on Saturday afternoon.
Sharks lock forward, Oosthuizen, believes their pack has grown nicely this season.
"The more games you play together, the more you understand one another. We started the season as a new pack and finding our feet took a while. I think we are at a stage now where we understand one another. We know what makes one another work," Oosthuizen said.
The Sharks and Stormers tend to like imposing themselves in the forwards and Oosthuizen expects a tough battle up-front at Growthpoint Kings Park.
"It is going to be physical. We will have to do some hard yards. Yet there are 15 players in each side. We have to do our part, so the backs can do their part," Oosthuizen added.
The Sharks and Stormers have both impressed at line-out time this season. Oosthuizen feels there will be an expectation for the Sharks to again produce the goods at this set-piece.
"It is going to be a battle. They have two good locks and we have good locks. At the end of the day, we have to stick to our processes and do what we have done all season. We need to do what has worked for us. I think getting this process right will get you the result in the end," Oosthuizen said.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has played lock for the Sharks in the past and is now in the Stormers squad. Oosthuizen does not believe this will have a big impact on the line-outs this weekend.
"Ruan (Botha) also has experience of what happened at the Stormers. So it can go both ways. I think that with a new year and a new season there is a fresh start. You try to innovate and make it more personal to your team and to the personnel that you have. So I think it is not nearly the same as it was when Pieter-Steph was here. We have a new system and I think the Stormers have a new system. We simply have to do our part," Oosthuizen added.
The Stormers struggled in New Zealand recently and yet Oosthuizen does not read too much into their struggles there. He believes the Sharks must focus on their own game.
"I think we just have to play our game. I think we have to play with intensity. I think a lot will depend of who makes less errors and gives away less penalties," Oosthuizen said.
Stormers lock forward, Eben Etzebeth, is known for his physicality. Oosthuizen feels the Sharks have to fight fire with fire, but in a sensible manner.
"It is about controlled aggression. You certainly don't want to be silly in giving away too many penalties or incurring yellow cards. So I think it is all about composure. You just have to keep your head and not allow an opponent to get under your skin," Oosthuizen added.
The Sharks have three quality locks in Oosthuizen, Ruan Botha and Stephan Lewies. Oosthuizen feels they work together well.
"I think we have a good combination going. We have in the team what we need and then have another guy coming on who can make an impact. We have a good mix and compliment one another well. I also think we have a structure going now and it doesn't matter who slots in where, because we understand what we need to do," Oosthuizen said.
The Sharks also have some tall loose forwards who can take ball in the line-out. Oosthuizen believes this is an advantage.
"I think that is maybe why we have been one of the top line-outs in the Super Rugby competition this season. We do have a lot of options and a lot of good jumpers. We also have a system that works. Everybody needs to stick to it and we will take it from there," Oosthuizen concluded.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre