Share

Rested Sharks look to go back to power game

Cape Town - The Sharks, coming off a week of introspection, look set to back their strength and physicality when they host the Rebels in a crucial Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

Having started the season with impressive victories over the Sunwolves and the Blues, coach Robert du Preez's men then lost back-to-back local derbies against the Stormers and the Bulls. 

With those two sides on a good run at the moment, the Sharks desperately need a win against the visiting Australians to ensure that they don't fall any further behind in the South African Conference. 

The Sharks are currently fourth in the SA Conference on 11 points, just two behind the Bulls, lions and Stormers who are all on 13. 

"There is still a lot of time for us to catch up and make it right. We are still not behind on the log. It's better that it happened early so that we can get a wake-up call now rather than later in the competition," centre Andre Esterhuizen said this week. 

"We've had a great week off and time to reflect. We're obviously very disappointed in our last two performances but we've been working hard this week."

The plan, Esterhuizen says, is to go back to being a physical side that dominates the exchanges. 

It is an area where the Sharks were not at their best against the Stormers and Bulls. 

"There has been a lot of emphasis on keeping the ball, playing our game and getting physicality back into it," Esterhuizen said.

"We need to get back on track and hopefully against the Rebels we can get some points on the board.

"The last two games against the South African teams, there was a lot of physicality and we didn't handle it well enough. We could be more physical and we're working on it this week. We've got a great pack when they're firing."

Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:15

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1272 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2241 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE