Rare clean health bill for Sharks
The Sharks head into their clash with the Bulls in Pretoria with the rare positive that they have a clean bill of health after their last-ditch victory over the Blues.
Apart from the usual knocks that players receive during a match, the Sharks have every player available from the nail-bitting win at Kings Park on Saturday.
Assistant coach, Hugh Reece-Edwards said that it was a surprise to have a full squad to select from – a welcome surprise.
"It’s unknown not to get an injury or two, so it’s great that we have the same squad to pick from for this weekend’s game," he mentioned.
With the Sharks crippling injury list slowly depleating the only concern they have is the lack of backline players returning to the squad.
"Unfortunately, we don’t have any backs returning from injury this week, Meyer Bosman and JP Pietersen could be ready next week although we don’t know when Tim Whitehead will be ready, there is a possibility of next week though.
"So we’re still short amongst the backs, but Ryan Kankowski played a club game and he’s adding to the growing number of forwards we can start choosing from.
"So we have the same squad available from last week – the same squad that did the job last week – and we just hope we can go and do the job again this week," the assistant coach added.
A huge boost for the Durban franchise is the return of Bismarck Du Plessis. The hooker made his first appearence in a Sharks jersey against the Blues off the bench and having a player like him available just adds confidence to the squad.
"Bismarck has come off the bench in the Tests as well as last week for us, he know where he fits in in the side and he’s ready to start.
"And if he does, he will last as long as he can and alternatively if he plays off the bench, he will certainly provide some good stealing opportunities, he’s a great guy to provide experience.
"He’s an enforcer, so whatever role he plays, he will help the side," Reece-Edwards said.
The Sharks lost out to the Bulls earlier in the season when Morne Steyn kicked six penalties to seal the victory. With such a deadly boot in the opposition it is important that they Sharks approach the game a knock-out attitude as well as a disciplined approach.
Ending off the season well is the priority in the Shark Tank and Reece-Edwards believes that even if they do not qualify for the play-offs they cannot finish poorly.
"It is knock-out rugby for us and we are reliant on one or two other rugby results, but whatever way you look at it, we need to get two results, whether that takes us into a possible play-off or whether it’s the way we finish off the season, we aim to go out with two wins in the next two weeks," he said.
