The Sharks have won six of their last seven matches against the Bulls and the Stormers, but can they bounce back from their Lions heartbreak? With Handre Pollard, pictured, Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi and Elrigh Louw all back in the mix, expect fireworks in Pretoria. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Sharks fans wondering whether their team can bounce back from their defeat to the Lions with a strong showing against the Bulls on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld (kick-off 5pm) should carefully read the following statistics on their team’s results in the SA Derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Over the past two seasons, in seven games against the Bulls and Stormers, the Sharks have won six. Their only defeat was a narrow loss to the Stormers in Cape Town a year ago. But the other side of the SA Derby coin for the Durbanites is that they have lost all four of their matches against the Lions.
You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that the Sharks “get up” for the Stormers and Bulls and drop their intensity against the Lions. Even if it is in their subconscious, the Sharks disrespect the Lions, and pay the price.
The Sharks conclude this season’s SA Derbies with a visit to the Bulls, which promises to be open warfare. The Sharks will welcome back the Springboks they rested against the Lions, while the Bulls — similarly boosted by returning Boks — will want to set the record straight after losing in Durban earlier this season.
The Lions versus Stormers match on Saturday kicks off at 2.30pm. In terms of the URC log, the Bulls and Sharks would likely favour a win for the Capetonians; both are in direct competition with the Lions for a play-off position, while the Stormers sit safely in third place. Currently, the Lions are seventh, four points ahead of the eighth-placed Bulls, while the Sharks sit in 10th.
For the Sharks, this is a vital fixture. Beyond climbing the URC ladder, it is psychologically imperative; a second consecutive loss would undo the momentum gained from their recent victories over the Stormers. Two losses in the first two weeks of JP Pietersen’s tenure as permanent head coach would leave top-eight qualification and Champions Cup hopes looking distant.
While Pietersen will slot Ox Nche, Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Ethan Hooker, and Grant Williams back into the team, his opposite number, Johan Ackermann, will wheel out heavy artillery of his own.
Ackermann has already navigated much of his Springbok resting requirements; Handre Pollard returns to lead the backline, with Wilco Louw anchoring the pack.
The Bulls’ friendly last week against Boland was revealing, with many heavyweights involved to sharpen them for the Sharks. Former Springbok centre Jan Serfontein and lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg both completed successful returns to action.
Elrigh Louw also returns following his honeymoon, and burly prop Gerhard Steenekamp is due back after recovering from a thumb injury. There is also a 50/50 chance of No 8 Cameron Hanekom playing a role as he nears the end of his hamstring rehab.
The Bulls could field a formidable tight five including Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Steenekamp, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, providing a massive physical challenge for the visitors.
* Mike Greenaway is a senior rugby reporter at Independent Media and contributor on our Last World on Rugby podcast on our YouTube channel, The Clutch