Du Preez, Bosch combination gives Sharks 'new dimension'
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks centre Jeremy Ward says the combination of Robert du Preez at No.12 and Curwin Bosch at No.10 gave the Sharks a ‘new dimension’ on attack against Griquas.
The Sharks won that match 41-11 to secure a home semifinal against the Golden Lions in Durban this weekend.
Du Preez and Bosch performed well together in that inside channel in Kimberley. However, It is more likely that the Sharks will revert to the more settled combination of Du Preez at flyhalf and Marius Louw at No.12 with Bosch moving back to fullback for the match against the Lions.
For Ward, taking their attacking game to the next level will be one of the Sharks’ goals heading into the play-offs.
“We are definitely playing with confidence,” Ward told reporters in Durban ahead of the semifinal.
“The guys on the inside and outside of me really express themselves in the moment, which is good. It is what you want as a backline.
“The shift of Rob to 12 and Curwin to 10 last week also gave us a new dimension to our backline as well. So, the guys are feeling confident and it’s all about being in a space where you are willing to express yourself and just trusting the guys inside and outside you.”
Meanwhile, the Lions will be boosted by a few returning Springboks for Saturday’s clash and Ward knows that their opponents will be a lot harder to beat this time around.
The Sharks recorded a 37-21 win over the Golden Lions in Round Six in Durban.
“It will definitely be a different challenge. With guys like Elton [Jantjies], [Lionel] Mapoe and Aphiwe Dyantyi coming into the game, of course you have to be on the lookout for them, but it would be foolish of me to stand here and say that we are putting in our energy focussing on that.
“We are focussing on ourselves and on our systems. We know that if we stick to what we good at, we will be able to pull off a result,” he added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
