Sharks target win over Chiefs to return unbeaten from tour
Coach Du Preez makes three changes for Saturday’s clash
09 May 2019 - 15:06
byKhanyiso Tshwaku
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez looks on during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Sharks at Christchurch Stadium, New Zealand on May 3, 2019. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/HAGEN HOPKINS
With the prospect of an unexpected unbeaten tour looming large‚ Sharks coach Robert du Preez has made three changes to his side for Saturday’s match against the Chiefs.
Hyron Andrews and Philip van der Walt will start at lock and No 8‚ coming in for Rubin van Heerden and Daniel du Preez. Marius Louw replaces Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre. With Akker van der Merwe returning home with a shoulder niggle‚ rising star Fezokuhle Mbatha fills in for him on the bench.
The Sharks have had an unexpectedly decent tour‚ even though they have made it a habit of changing their fortunes on the road.
In the first week‚ they snapped a 19-year losing streak against the Waratahs in Australia with a 23-17 win. The following week‚ they gave the Crusaders one of their sternest home tests in the past two years‚ with the reigning champions escaping with a draw.
The Chiefs are the weakest of the five New Zealand sides but they put 50 past a Bulls side that have beaten the Sharks twice this season.
Colin Cooper’s side has not hit it’s straps yet and probably will not for the rest of the season. However‚ they look a far more improved and better organised team compared to the start of the season. Last week‚ they rescued a game that looked to be lost against the Highlanders in Dunedin and salvaged a well-deserved draw.
Du Preez‚ who unsurprisingly has persisted with Curwin Bosch at flyhalf‚ said he has been happy with the form his charges have exhibited on tour.
“We know how tough it is to tour and how tough this competition is‚ so to beat the Waratahs for the first time in 19 years in Sydney‚ that’s a great feat as was the draw against the Crusaders‚ very nearly a win. We’re very pleased with where we are‚” Du Preez said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Sharks target win over Chiefs to return unbeaten from tour
Coach Du Preez makes three changes for Saturday’s clash
With the prospect of an unexpected unbeaten tour looming large‚ Sharks coach Robert du Preez has made three changes to his side for Saturday’s match against the Chiefs.
Hyron Andrews and Philip van der Walt will start at lock and No 8‚ coming in for Rubin van Heerden and Daniel du Preez. Marius Louw replaces Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre. With Akker van der Merwe returning home with a shoulder niggle‚ rising star Fezokuhle Mbatha fills in for him on the bench.
The Sharks have had an unexpectedly decent tour‚ even though they have made it a habit of changing their fortunes on the road.
In the first week‚ they snapped a 19-year losing streak against the Waratahs in Australia with a 23-17 win. The following week‚ they gave the Crusaders one of their sternest home tests in the past two years‚ with the reigning champions escaping with a draw.
The Chiefs are the weakest of the five New Zealand sides but they put 50 past a Bulls side that have beaten the Sharks twice this season.
Colin Cooper’s side has not hit it’s straps yet and probably will not for the rest of the season. However‚ they look a far more improved and better organised team compared to the start of the season. Last week‚ they rescued a game that looked to be lost against the Highlanders in Dunedin and salvaged a well-deserved draw.
Du Preez‚ who unsurprisingly has persisted with Curwin Bosch at flyhalf‚ said he has been happy with the form his charges have exhibited on tour.
“We know how tough it is to tour and how tough this competition is‚ so to beat the Waratahs for the first time in 19 years in Sydney‚ that’s a great feat as was the draw against the Crusaders‚ very nearly a win. We’re very pleased with where we are‚” Du Preez said.
Teams
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo‚ 14 Sean Wainui‚ 13 Tumua Manu‚ 12 Anton Lienert-Brown‚ 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo‚ 10 Marty McKenzie‚ 9 Brad Weber (c)‚ 8 Luke Jacobson‚ 7 Mitchell Karpik‚ 6 Jesse Parete‚ 5 Mitchell Brown‚ 4 Tyler Ardron‚ 3 Nepo Laulala‚ 2 Nathan Harris‚ 1 Atu Moli. Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart‚ 17 Ryan Coxon‚ 18 Angus Ta’avao‚ 19 Taleni Seu‚ 20 Pita Gus Sowakula‚ 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi‚ 22 Shaun Stevenson‚ 23 Alex Nankivell
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi‚ 14 Sbu Nkosi‚ 13 Lukhanyo Am‚ 12 Marius Louw‚ 11 Makazole Mapimpi‚ 10 Curwin Bosch‚ 9 Louis Schreuder (c)‚ 8 Philip van der Walt‚ 7 Jean-Luc du Preez‚ 6 Jacques Vermeulen‚ 5 Ruan Botha‚ 4 Hyron Andrews‚ 3 Coenie Oosthuizen‚ 2 Kerron van Vuuren‚ 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha‚ 17 Mzamo Majola‚ 18 John-Hubert Meyer‚ 19 Tyler Paul‚ 20 Luke Stringer‚ 21 Cameron Wright‚ 22 Robert du Preez‚ 23 Kobus van Wyk
SA referee Jaco Peyper heads to Rugby World Cup 2019
Lions and Tahs need to catch a wake up
Stormers under a dark cloud but still have a chance to make the play-offs
GAVIN RICH: Results show the absence of key players is a game-changing factor
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
GAVIN RICH: Sharks flounder as coach Du Preez clings to bias towards flyhalf son
Jordie Barrett and Sevu Reece stake their claims for World Cup spots
Jaguares make it three straight wins with eye on Super Rugby playoff
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.