AUDIO: Bok prop's message of defiance ahead of Bulls clash
SPOTLIGHT: With the Bulls pack stealing the headlines in recent weeks, the Sharks are well aware of the challenge that awaits them at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Following a much-needed break, the Sharks head to Pretoria to take on a high-flying Bulls outfit.
The Bulls recorded their first URC win over Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium courtesy of incredible forward dominance.
After the match, Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson had nothing but praise for the Bulls’ pack and admitted their powerful scrums put his team on the ‘backfoot’.
The Bulls also made use of their powerful scrums against the Lions, recording a 35-22 win in January at Ellis Park.
The Sharks, in contrast, are currently dealing with loads of injuries to their pack. Springboks Ox Nche and Eben Etzebeth will miss the encounter, while Fez Mbatha and James Venter are also on the casualty list.
However, despite the injuries, Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane said his team is well-prepared for the ‘massive challenge’.
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“They are a strong outfit when it comes to scrummaging and forward play,” said Nyakane, who spent six seasons at the Bulls and almost made 100 appearances.
“You can see by the results and the way they have been going the last few weeks.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us at Loftus.
“I played there for a couple of years, and I know that they pride themselves in forward dominance and physicality.
“But we play the game to measure ourselves against the best when it comes to specific things.
“They scrumming and mauling is good and that is why you need to stand up and show your character.
“We have put a few things in place and working very hard.
“We are not going up there to lie down and accept that we will be defeated.”
When asked if the injuries are putting extra pressure on him as a senior player, the 35-year-old Nyakane said: “It’s the nature of the game.
“You are not going to have everyone in the squad available every week. You have to learn to adapt around that.
“The pressure is always there even when the Springboks are there or not.
“However, for us, it’s about working hard and producing what the coaches expect of us.
“It is pressure and it’s going to be difficult at Loftus, but the boys who have come in are stepping up; they are showing they’re hungry to showcase themselves and it’s easier to lead a group like that.
“They have been making amazing progress and the energy they are injecting into the sessions is really infectious, especially for the older guys.”
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