Through Giant's eyes

 

Mtyanda was one of the standout players for the Pumas in the Currie Cup last year and has been training with the Sharks alongside team mate Renaldo Bothma during the pre-season.

 

Although Mtyanda is only on trial with the Sharks, and hoping to be selected as part of their Super Rugby squad, he has quickly seen how the Sharks intend to play this year.

 

Currently the Sharks are under the control of technical director Brendan Venter while they await the arrival of Director of Rugby Gary Gold from Japan.

 

"Coach Venter is a good coach and things have been going well with him so far, he is bringing a new dynamic to the Sharks," Mtyanda told rugby365.

 

"The coach is combining what he was doing before at other clubs and the things he used there with what he used to do with the Sharks previously, he is hoping to create an exciting style of play. 

 

"Brendan is looking to make the rugby a lot faster and not as static, a big thing he is focusing on is trying to keep the players off the ground and getting them to work towards the ball."

 

The Pumas' lock is clearly keen to make an impression in order to get the call up to the squad, but he knows it is a massive step up.

 

"You get used to the guys you have been playing with for a while, and that takes you to a certain level of rugby, but when it comes to Super Rugby you can see things are done differently at these bigger unions – it has been an eye opener," he added.

 

"This pre season will definitely help improve my rugby, it is a good experience for me and it is showing me the way forward for my game.

 

"I have to be part of it [the Sharks squad], I have to put my head down, put my hand up and get noticed.

 

"The experiance has been positive, but I can't say I have definitely made it or not, but it is very positive at the moment and everything is going well."