Sharks must work on finishing as they gear up for Griquas
IN LAST week’s Currie Cup opener in Nelspruit the Sharks beat the Pumas 33-10, and by five tries to zip, but the visitors could well have doubled their score had they been more clinical in their finishing.
It was an eyebrow-raising performance on attack from the Sharks, and coach Robert du Preez is not overly concerned that his side left a banquet of points on the table.
It is early days in the Currie Cup, and for Du Preez this week will be a case of praising his team for their adventure on attack while insisting they polish up their finishing, starting in the home game against Griquas (Friday night, 7.10pm).
“If the intention and effort are there, the team is on course,” he said. “It would have been unrealistic to expect the guys to be faultless in their
TEAM
(Possible): 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Neil Maritz, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 S’Bura Sithole, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Dale Chadwick.
first game, and I am satisfied that we did our best to play the type of rugby we are committed to for the Currie Cup.”
Du Preez reiterated that the Sharks would play attacking rugby in the Currie Cup, come what may, in an endeavour to bring supporters back to Kings Park.
“We owe it to our fans to play positive, winning rugby, and it is essential that we make Kings Park a fortress once more,” the coach said.
“I think we were getting there in Super Rugby, and now we must continue to improve and make our home ground a place that visiting teams dread.
“When I was a young player with Northern Transvaal, we regarded Kings Park as a very difficult venue, and we battled to get results here,” he said.
“On Friday, we get an opportunity to make a statement at home, and we will in no way underestimate a Griquas side that is always gutsy. We will prepare for them as we would for any side we have played this year.”
While Du Preez will consider a return to action for Super Rugby flyhalf Garth April, who was excluded from selection last week because of a disciplinary issue, he said he had been impressed with debutants Curwin Bosch and Innocent Radebe, the youngsters who shared the flyhalf role.