Rugby news from KwaZulu-Natal:
Preview: Cell C Sharks vs Sunwolves:
The Cell C Sharks opening match of the 2019 Vodacom Super Rugby season sees us taking on Japan’s Sunwolves in Singapore on Saturday looking for a good start to the season.
Captain Louis Schreuder admits that besides the match specific goals, the team’s focus is on getting a positive result from this first game and then building from there.
“Every team wants to start well, with a win, and it’s very important for us to build momentum from the first weekend,” he explains.
The Sunwolves have not reached the heights they have aimed for in the competition, but given that Japan are hosting the Rugby World Cup this year and looking to grow their rugby from sleeping to waking giants, they have invested heavily in their domestic rugby and we can expect their win percentage, already improving year by year, to continue in 2019.
What They Said:
“We don’t know too much about them apart from the players who have been there for a while because we haven’t seen any pre-season action. It’s going to be tough, they’re a really good team, well-coached and playing in Singapore will be difficult.” Cell C Sharks Head coach Robert du Preez.
“There is no easy start to a Super Rugby campaign, but the conditions in Singapore should be the same as what we face in Durban. Like each season, this first game is a must-win for us. They have some quality players from around the world and we know they will put up a strong fight.
“Physicality is non-negotiable, we have to be physical in every game and we have to be mentally up for that. Our focus will be on the basics and what we want to do, look to execute our plans for the week. We need to attack well, we need to defend well; we need to do everything well. IN this competition, if you show any weakness, the opposition will exploit it.” Captain Louis Schreuder.
The Teams:
The Cell C Sharks have four debutants in the match 23, with Apelele Fassi starting at fullback. The Sunwolves have included two South African-born players – fullback Gerhard van den Heever and centre Shane Gates (formerly Bulls and Kings respectively) – in their starting XV.
Some History
The Sharks have won each of their three games against the Sunwolves by an average margin of 20 points per game. The Sunwolves have won their last three games on the bounce at home, including come-from-behind victories against both the Stormers and Bulls in that time.
Hayden Parker of the Sunwolves boasts the best kicking stats in the 2018 competition, with a success rate of 96% (48/50 kicks converted), with the Cell C Sharks’ Robert du Preez marginally behind with 86% (78/91) – the average success rate of the place-kickers was 82%
Although the Sunwolves won just one game in 2016 (beating the Jaguares at home), they beat the Bulls and Blues in 2017 and the Reds (63-28), Stormers and Bulls in 2018, proving that they are a menace at home.
Head to Head:
2016: Sharks 40 -29 Sunwolves
2017: Sunwolves 17 -38 Sharks
2018: Sharks 50 -22 Sunwolves
Average score: Sharks 42-22 Sunwolves
Match Info:
Referee: Nic Berry
Kick-off: 12.55pm Saturday 16 February
Venue: Singapore National Stadium
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