Du Preez lashes out at 'cockroach' critics after Newlands win

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez had the perfect platform at Newlands to hit back at his critics once again after his team’s 12-9 win over the Stormers on Saturday.

Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am scored a try long after regulation full-time to secure the win, which has given the Sharks a quarterfinal outing against the Brumbies in Canberra next week.

Du Preez has received a lot of criticism for his team’s performances this season and there have been questions raised in the media about whether he will still be in charge of the Sharks next question.

When asked if Saturday’s result was a “stay of execution”, Du Preez had a familiar word to describe his critics.

“The Durban press are a bunch of cockroaches,” Du Preez responded.

He added: “All the terrible press that this team and the management team got is a complete joke.”

While the terrible press is a “joke” for Du Preez, his team’s performance against the Stormers was not far off from being a “joke” as well.

Both teams were very poor in open play and it was hard to believe that the Stormers and the Sharks were still in the running for a play-off place before kick-off.

“The Stormers are a fantastic side. This game could have gone either way,” said Du Preez.

“The game was in the balance until after the hooter. I just thought the character that the boys showed on the day was just tremendous and that vindicated everything that this team is all about.

“On attack and defence we were dominant the whole game and we scored two tries.

“It is a cruel game and it is a game of moments and I feel for Robbie Fleck. It could have been different; they could have won the game easily.”