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Cape Town - Former Sharks loose forward Wayne Fyvie believes the performance of scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will be key when the Sharks tackle the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup semi-finals at Ellis Park on Saturday.
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Fyvie acknowledges that, on current form, the Lions are the team to beat at this stage of the tournament.
However, Fyvie says that the Sharks' most recent Springbok, Reinach, could prove the difference between the two teams in what he expects to be an open, expansive game.
But he feels if the Sharks can shut the Lions' tight forwards down and starve their backs of enough go-forward ball, then the game is there for the taking.
"I think Cobus Reinach must have a blinder. A confident Reinach will make a big difference. I reckon the Sharks will steal a three or four-point win."
The Sharks will also take heart from the fact that they beat the Lions 26-23 at Kings Park earlier this month, coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson says.
“We believe we can do it against the Lions on Saturday, but up at Ellis Park it’s going to take a very special effort from us," MacLeod-Henderson told the Sharks' official website.
“There is some relevance in us defeating them two weeks ago and although it was played at home, we will take a lot of confidence out of that win. In fact, to beat both sides above us on the log on consecutive weekends is a boost to the confidence we had already gained. We’ve enjoyed a run of five matches where we were undefeated, so the team is in a good space right now.
“The Lions like to play a lot of rugby; they’ve scored the most number of tries in the competition (44) and if they get on top, they can run away with the game.”
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Ellis Park is scheduled for 14:30.
Western Province and the Blue Bulls duel in the day's other semi-final at Newlands (17:00).
In an interview with SA Rugbymag, Fyvie acknowledges that, on current form, the Lions are the team to beat at this stage of the tournament.
However, Fyvie says that the Sharks' most recent Springbok, Reinach, could prove the difference between the two teams in what he expects to be an open, expansive game.
But he feels if the Sharks can shut the Lions' tight forwards down and starve their backs of enough go-forward ball, then the game is there for the taking.
"I think Cobus Reinach must have a blinder. A confident Reinach will make a big difference. I reckon the Sharks will steal a three or four-point win."
The Sharks will also take heart from the fact that they beat the Lions 26-23 at Kings Park earlier this month, coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson says.
“We believe we can do it against the Lions on Saturday, but up at Ellis Park it’s going to take a very special effort from us," MacLeod-Henderson told the Sharks' official website.
“There is some relevance in us defeating them two weeks ago and although it was played at home, we will take a lot of confidence out of that win. In fact, to beat both sides above us on the log on consecutive weekends is a boost to the confidence we had already gained. We’ve enjoyed a run of five matches where we were undefeated, so the team is in a good space right now.
“The Lions like to play a lot of rugby; they’ve scored the most number of tries in the competition (44) and if they get on top, they can run away with the game.”
Kick-off for Saturday's clash at Ellis Park is scheduled for 14:30.
Western Province and the Blue Bulls duel in the day's other semi-final at Newlands (17:00).
