Sharks look to turn the tables on Bulls
REACTION: The Sharks will be looking to “turn the tables” on the Bulls when they meet in their Rainbow Cup SA “decider” at Kings Park on Saturday.
The Bulls head into that final-round match on top of the standings with 20 points, while the Sharks are in second on 16 points.
With Jake White’s side having a vastly superior points difference, Everitt knows that his team will need a bonus-point win and deny the Bulls any bonus points in the process if they are to get on the plane for the ‘North v South’ Final in Italy.
Both teams will be able to select their strongest teams after SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus revealed that they will not be withdrawing the Springbok players from the final round of the Rainbow Cup SA.
Some Boks might not be available as they are due a rest, but that will mainly affect the Stormers.
The Sharks were granted some leniency after a few of their front row forwards were exposed to Covid-19 during the match between the Cheetahs and the Invitational XV.
However, the Springboks will not be available for the Final on June 19.
The last time the Sharks and Bulls met was in Round Three of the Rainbow Cup with the Bulls smashing the Durbanites 43-9 at Loftus Versfeld and Everitt admitted that they have put plans in place for this return match in Durban.
“That day we were in the game at half-time and I thought we dominated for 50 minutes,” said Everitt. “Things unfortunately unravelled in the last 20 [minutes] and we conceded four soft tries.
“We got to look at the game as a whole and put it in perspective. Yes, we have been down to the Bulls before at Loftus and bounced back at Kings Park, so we are very keen to turn the tables on them at home.”
The Sharks are coming off a 33-21 win over the Lions in Johannesburg, which will be a big confidence booster ahead of Saturday’s game.
“This game will give us confidence going into that. The Bulls have improved a lot as you saw in the last 20 minutes [in their 31-27 win over the Stormers],” said the Sharks coach.
“They found a way to win. they found a way in the 81st minute, so they are a good team.
“It has been a tough two weeks for us. Losing two in a row and then coming to Ellis Park to rectify things was never going to be easy because the Lions have been on the up and playing some superb rugby.
“I think the guys can take a lot of confidence out of this win and enjoy themselves and come back to work on Monday and focus on the Bulls for Saturday.”
He added: “We will select our strongest possible team. We are in with a very good chance. If we can score our four tries and get a victory then what happens after that we will worry about that next.”
