Sharks coach gives squad update after COVID outbreak
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks coach Sean Everitt is confident his team will be ready to play in their semifinal against Western Province in Cape Town next weekend.
The Sharks are busy regrouping ahead of play-offs following a number of positive COVID-19 tests in their squad, which resulted in the cancellation of their final round-robin match against Province.
Subsequently, the play-offs were postponed by a week to “allow the participants to manage COVID-19 challenges”.
“We did have a number of players who tested positive last week, so some of those guys will start their return-to-play process from tomorrow [Friday] and Saturday,” said Everitt.
“The rest of the contacts have resumed training, so we in a pretty good space at the moment.”
When asked about whether his team will be fit enough to take part in the semifinal, Everitt added: “I’m extremely confident as far as that is concerned. The players have really tried hard by isolating themselves at home and I believe the Bulls. Province and the Lions have been in the same boat.
“No one wants to lose that opportunity of playing in the semi or possibly a Final so we can only control what we can control and as we stand now, we will have a full team to select from next week.”
#CurrieCup SPOTLIGHT: How the Bulls have changed since Jake White took over 👇https://t.co/5meBUzImXb
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 14, 2021
There will be a space of three weeks between the Sharks’ last match against Griquas on January 2 and their semifinal (January 23). However, Everitt believes his team will be at their best despite the break.
“We have shown that when we are able to pick our best team, the team does perform.
“We had a break before we played the Bulls here at Kings Park [in December] and the guys adjusted really well and came back strongly, so I expect the same from them next week.
“Obviously, your rhythm does get interrupted when you do not play but it depends on how different teams train. We are training in a XV-v-XV format, so it is a bit of game practice.
“Our guys are rearing to go after the break. We got some good players returning from COVID and we got a full squad to select from so that obviously motivates the players and that keeps them positive.”
#ICYMI: Western Province are leaving no stone unturned ahead of their #CurrieCup semifinal against the Sharks. #WPvSHA https://t.co/dlMtid36KV
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 14, 2021
