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Return of big men could galvanise Sharks

rugby23 April 2019 15:10| © Cycle Lab
By:JJ Harmse
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Ruan Botha & Akker van der Merwe © Getty Images

The Cell C Sharks’ tour of Australasia may have come at the right time for more than just that it offers a chance for the players to get away from the off-the-field noise generated by two successive home defeats.

It will also coincide with the first time that coach Robert du Preez has had a full strength pack to choose from, with Akker van der Merwe's return from suspension coinciding with the return to the squad of last year's captain Ruan Botha, while Jean-Luc du Preez has now played two games off the bench and must be due for a start.

It would be naive to think that the Sharks' inconsistency over the season thus far has just been down to personnel changes, but there is also no denying that the names written down on the team sheet can make a massive difference. And a Sharks pack at full strength is a different animal to one that is under-strength.

The returning trio, if they are selected for Saturday's opening tour game against the Waratahs, will bring both experience and physicality to the Sharks' effort.

Botha, who has been out injured since leaving the field in the second half of the third-round match against the DHL Stormers back in March, has been missed for his physical presence in the second row.

Ruan van Heerden has impressed at times but lacks Botha's experience, while Hyron Andrews is a genuine out and out No 5 lock. With Tyler Paul also back in the mix, the Sharks now have strength and options in the second row that they didn't have before.

Jean-Luc du Preez is a special player, and while Dan du Preez has made big strides recently and has been close to the Sharks' best forward thus far in the competition, Jean-Luc is probably the most talented of the three Du Preez brothers.

He made a big impact when he started running into form in the match against the Blues in Auckland last April, and his father, the coach Robert du Preez, must be itching to get him into a starting role.

Du Preez does though have an interesting selection dilemma to face as while his team has lost two matches on the trot, and there may be question marks over how the players have gelled at times, there hasn't been much wrong with the individual form of the loose-forwards.

Jacques Vermeulen could well be swopped to the other side of the scrum to accommodate Du Preez's return, but at the same time Philip van der Walt, who would be the man to drop out if that is the case, could then consider himself unlucky.

"Philip produced a really industrious performance in the loss to the Reds, I think he made something like 17 tackles," said Du Preez senior in a teleconference link-up with the Durban media from Australia on Tuesday.

"We know what Philip can do, we know what he can give us, and I am sure he will get better with every game. Jean-Luc has been good too. He had a solid outing against the Reds, and both of them will get better."

MAXIMISE SCORING OPPORTUNITIES

It's more about the Sharks coming up with the right loose-forward mix and fit than the players vying for position lacking ability.

Many would consider it a belated move but Sharks fans should be encouraged to learn that Du Preez is considering making a rotation selection at flyhalf.

Robert junior has been struggling with form and confidence and after playing the off-season in England might well benefit from the chance to freshen up by taking a week or two off.

Curwin Bosch would be a natural fit at flyhalf, the position from where he tormented the Waratahs when called onto the field as an early replacement in a King's Park match two seasons ago (when Patrick Lambie was injured).

Perhaps the switch will improve the Sharks' changes of maximising their scoring opportunities, something they failed to do against the Reds.

"The Reds game was one that could have gone either way. We conceded two really soft tries, they were both individual errors, so it was not a system issue," said Du Preez.

"Then we wasted two clear scoring chances that could have made all the difference to the result. The one was when Andre (Esterhuizen) broke away down the right flank, and then later Curwin (Bosch) just had to draw the man and he would have put in Lwazi (Mvovo). They were both great opportunities so in the end it comes down to execution.

"We are thinking of rotating Rob, he is one of quite a few players who have had a lot of games. Another is Mapimps (Makazole Mapimpi) and Louis (Schreuder). But you will see when the squad is announced later in the week that we will have a really strong starting 15 and a strong bench. We are looking forward to putting in a solid performance against the Waratahs."

Du Preez said that he agreed with the view that the tour had come at a great time for his team.

"Tours are fantastic and it is one of the perks of being a professional rugby player to go on tour, it is wonderful to go on tour. The boys have already bonded since we've been away and the leadership group is building some things for us to work off. Being on tour means you spend a lot of time in each other's company, which is always good.

"It's always tough when you lose at home, and with four losses we know we haven't performed well at home this season. That is a big disappointment for all of us, it always feels worse when you lose at home. But the boys are in good spirits and we had a good session today. There is great energy in the camp. The South African conference is still wide open so there is a lot to play for and doing well overseas will be a big lift to our chances."

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