'They will punish you': Sharks trying to plot Stormers' downfall

REACTION: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell says hard work is being done behind the scenes to formulate “a really good” plan for their United Rugby Championship match against the Stormers on Saturday.

The Sharks will be heading to Cape Town as underdogs, especially after what happened in their last meeting.

John Dobson’s side handed the Sharks a rugby lesson on their way to a convincing 46-19 victory at Kings Park in Durban on February 4.

Another big defeat to the Capetonians could be demoralising for the Sharks as the URC enters the business end.

“I think the Stormers are a really good team and there is a reason why they are second on the log,” Powell told reporters after his team’s 24-31 defeat to Ulster in Durban over the weekend.

“I think they play a good brand of rugby and they play a holistic game, so you got to be accurate in all areas of the game.

“If you are not going to be accurate then they will punish you.

“We will have to make sure that the plan we have for them is a really good one.

“We chatted about that game already and how we want to play them.

“They are a well-coached team and they got threats everywhere.”

#ICYMI: Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell admitted his team were not clinical enough in their rescheduled URC Round Six against Ulster in Durban. 👇#URC #Sharks #Ulster #SHAvULS https://t.co/aVyr8uBbtj

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 27, 2023

‘A brilliant scrumhalf’

If the Sharks are to come away with a win in Cape Town, they will need their key players to have a big influence on the game.

One of those players could be scrumhalf Grant Williams, who is viewed by Powell as a big contender for the Boks’ No.9 jersey.

“He is a brilliant scrumhalf and he is a great human being as well,” said Powell.

“He means a lot to us.

“He always creates that spark in the team and he creates opportunities and he has done it again [against Ulster]. He must be a real contender to go to the World Cup later this year.

“Hopefully, he can keep up his performances and earn himself a place in that World Cup squad.”

@rugby365com

RAPID GRANT WILLIAMS!👏 pic.twitter.com/MrlASz2Imy

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 18, 2023