Rugby news from KwaZulu-Natal:
Raring to Go:
He missed parts of 2017 and 2018 due to a long term injury, but for Cell C Sharks prop Coenie Oosthuizen, starting the season injury-free motivates him to contribute to the team’s cause in a big way.
The pre-season is out of the way, the Cell C Sharks have played two warm-up matches and this weekend face the Sunwolves in the opening weekend’s action of Vodacom Super Rugby.
The pre-season match against the Vodacom Bulls in Ballito on the weekend presented the perfect conditions for preparing for Saturday’s match in Singapore, not only good quality opposition but similar weather to what they can expect against the Sunwolves.
“It wasn’t easy, it was extremely hot and we know Singapore will be exactly the same,” Oosthuizen explains. “We’re also fortunate to train in this kind of weather so we won’t need much adapting.”
The last two weeks have seen the Cell C Sharks take on the Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls in the culmination of more than two month solid, hard work preparing for Vodacom Super Rugby.
Now it is here.
“We ticked all the boxes and mentally, we are prepared for what is about to come,” he says. “It’s exciting now to be focusing on Super Rugby, now is the time to execute.”
Not only has, what he calls “the nitty-gritty” been a major point of focus, but the team itself is in great shape.
“As a pack of forwards, we have a lot of depth, the kind that other teams strive for. The amount of talent we sit with, including the backline, is phenomenal. I believe that the depth of our squad will contribute to our success in Super Rugby.
“We have young players who can bring a smile to your face just watching them and our bench will be a strong point for us. If we all contribute to the team, this will be a successful franchise.”
Casting his eye to the Sunwolves, he is vociferous in his view that this game is an important one for the team, not only as far as results go, but also respecting the opposition.
“From a Sharks perspective, each and every one of us has done his preparation for the season and we’re still doing his preparation for the Sunwolves and we aren’t taking this game lightly.”
He explains that getting the season off on a winning note is their paramount duty. Particularly as no team likes to play catch-up with the successful teams when they don’t start well.
“Starting the tournament on a high is very important, we don’t want to play catch-up rugby. It’s going to be interesting, we’re not underestimating them.”
The toughest challenge is most likely to come from the lack of analysis as to how the Sunwolves will play, given that this is the first game of the season.
“If this was, say, the third or fourth game of the season, we’d be able to do analysis and preparation according to what they do. Being the first game, neither team has a lot to go on, so you look at past history. But you don’t really know what’s changed since last season.
“For us, we’ve worked on what we want to do and how we’d like to play. Our goal is to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities and executing what we’ve trained for. That’s important.
“Getting the basics right is fundamental.”
On a personal note, he admits to being in a great mental space.
“I’ve had my ups and downs as far as injuries go, last year was a tough season if I must speak honestly, but it ended on a high. Winning the Currie Cup showed what this Sharks team can do.
“So, starting this season, without any injuries, is phenomenal. We’ve had a long pre-season and worked extremely hard and now looking forward to Saturday and getting some miles on the feet.
“My goal in life is to enjoy myself, to play for something bigger than myself and just to have fun. So my plan is to go out there and enjoy each game. I’ve been out for a year so I know what it feels like to not be a part of it. I’m looking forward to getting on the park on Saturday.”
The post Raring to Go appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Tour Squad To Singapore:
Cell C Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has named his touring squad that travels to Singapore today ahead of the team’s Vodacom Super Rugby round one clash with the Sunwolves.
A 25-man squad has been selected for the opening week’s action with du Preez selecting a strong side with a handful of youngsters who have really put up their hands in the two pre-season matches (against the Emirates Lions and Vodacom Bulls) to date.
Eighthman Phepsi Buthelezi has impressed and continues where he left off – leading the Cell C Sharks Under 19s to SA Rugby Under 19 Competition success last year. He is joined by Kerron van Vuuren who has shown the ability and temperament necessary to play at this level.
Aphelele Fassi and Khutha Mchunu have Currie Cup experience and add depth to this strong and exciting side.
Getting the season off on a winning note is the team’s paramount duty, explains Cell C Sharks prop Coenie Oosthuizen. A powerful side is going to Singapore and they mean business – right from the get-go.
“Starting the tournament on a high is very important, we don’t want to play catch-up rugby.
“This is not an easy game for us, especially not there in Singapore, it’s like playing the Cheetahs – you don’t go to Bloemfontein and win easily. We expect them to put up a fight physically, they maul well, they can stand up to any pack, it’s what we expect from any South African team.
“Underestimating the Sunwolves is one of the biggest mistakes a team can make.”
Curwin Bosch and Marius Louw who were initially in the tour squad stayed behind due to carrying slight niggles.
Saturday’s clash kicks off at 12.55pm at Singapore’s National Stadium.
Cell C Sharks Touring Squad
- Akker van der Merwe
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Aphelele Fassi
- Cameron Wright
- Coenie Oosthuizen
- Daniel du Preez
- Gideon Koegelenberg
- Hyron Andrews
- Jacques Vermeulen
- Jeremy Ward
- Juan Schoeman
- Kerron van Vuuren
- Khutha Mchunu
- Louis Schreuder (c)
- Lukhanyo Am
- Lwazi Mvovo
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Rhyno Smith
- Robert du Preez
- Ruan Botha
- Sbu Nkosi
- Beast Mtawarira
- Tyler Paul
- Wian Vosloo
The post Tour Squad To Singapore appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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