Rejuvenated Sharks face tough hurdles
After an opening round 12-47 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, the Sharks bounced back with a 29-0 bonus-point victory over the Pumas in Durban at the weekend.
Despite an error-riddled first half, the Durban-based outfit scored four unanswered second-half tries and kept the visitors scoreless.
Coach Robert du Preez admitted the first half was not good, because of "too many errors".
"The second half was much better," he said, adding: "I am really pleased with the second half.
"The four [second-half] tries we scored were really good.
"We also kept them out [scoreless] and that was one of our goals for this game."
However, with the start of the South Africa's premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, and the closing stages of Super Rugby running at the same time, it is testing the coach's ability to manage his resources.
"We are coming off a big [Super Rugby] game the previous week and then straight into the Currie Cup,"Du Preez said.
"It requires a lot of work.
"It is a new campaign, so it is quite tough.
"Seven players have left us and there are new combinations."
He described the win at the weekend as an opportunity to "build some momentum".
"Things will only get better from here. We have a nice squad, a young squad and it will stand us in good stead going forward."
The Sharks have a very tough road ahead.
They are hosting Griquas this coming Friday and then face the Blues Bulls and Golden Lions (both away).
@rugby365com
