Sharks' depth the key to success
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks believe they have the dept to go all the way this year.
Veteran prop Coenie Oosthuizen, speaking ahead of the team’s season opener, said the team’s depth is ‘phenomenal’.
The Sharks start their campaign against the Sunwolves in Singapore on Saturday, but with the competition running for 20 weeks (through to July 6), dept will be key for any team with aspirations of ending the Crusaders’ current run.
And it is in the pack where the Sharks have the quality to compete with the best – the likes of Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit, Tendai Mtawarira, Mahlatse Ralepelle, Armand van der Merwe, Hyron Andrews, Ruan Botha, Gideon Koegelenberg, Ruben van Heerden, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Tyler Paul, Philip van der Walt and Jacques Vermeulen.
“As a pack of forwards, we have a lot of depth, the kind that other teams strive for,” Oosthuizen told a media briefing before the team’s departure for Singapore.
“The amount of talent we sit with, including the backline, is phenomenal.
“I believe that the depth of our squad will contribute to our success in Super Rugby.
“We have young players who can bring a smile to your face just watching them and our bench will be a strong point for us.
“Even if I’m on the bench, it doesn’t matter. If we all contribute to the team, this will be a successful franchise.”
* Continue reading below …
First the Sharks have to get past an unpredictable Sunwolves team, a side Oosthuizen believes they can ill afford to underestimate.
“Underestimating them will be one of the biggest mistakes we can make,” the 29-year-old prop said.
“From a Sharks perspective, each and every one of us has done his preparation for the season and we’re still doing his preparation for the Sunwolves and we aren’t taking this game lightly.
“The Sunwolves are never easy, especially not down there [in Singapore].”
@rugby365com
