This Saturday, the Cell C Sharks take a step that will hopefully result in a place in the Currie Cup Final when they host the Airlink Pumas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Reflecting on the team’s position, Cell C Sharks captain Reniel Hugo admits that the loss to DHL Western Province last weekend wasn’t part of the plans, but there was a bigger plan in action.
“We didn’t go to Cape Town to lose, there was firm belief in the team and everyone going down there to do the job and make sure we finish first,” he explains.
“We trusted our gut, it was an ideal opportunity to rest some of the guys who had played a lot of minutes, having already booked a home semi-final. After 14 weeks and without any rest periods, the bodies are sore and it was amazing for us to get the chance to rest up for the play-offs.”
Despite the break, Hugo doesn’t believe that there will be a pause in the team’s momentum as they head into Saturday’s semi-final.
“We’ve played a lot of rugby up to this point and it’s not something we’re worried about. We’re all fresh, working hard this week and ready to go.”
With Toyota Free State hosting the Vodacom Bulls in one semi-final, the Cell C Sharks vs Pumas clash is a mouth-watering prospect.
“We play the Pumas this weekend, they’re the defending champions and they will want to come to Durban to prove a point. They will be hungry, they want to come and beat us here, but we’re fortunate enough to play in front of our fans who have been with us and behind us all season. We want to put on a show on Saturday and make the jersey proud.
“We’re a group of desperate men who want to go all the way in this year’s Currie Cup.”
Coached by the South African legendary Jimmy Stonehouse, the Pumas will come to Hollywoodbets breathing fire. With limited rugby opportunities during the course of the year, they throw everything into the Currie Cup campaign and their success last year is testament to just how much they value South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition.
Looking at their strengths, Hugo points out that, “They pride themselves on their set-piece, they have a really good coach, they train hard and they’re a very physical team. They will come here looking to dominate the scrums, the mauls, the lineouts.
“They also have a very good kicking game, so they have all-round threats. They will come here with belief, looking to win.
“But we trust our systems, we’ve worked hard and we just need to be better in every aspect. We also need to make sure we play for the full 80 minutes because it’s going to be really physical and you can’t afford to rest for even one minute.
“Focus is vital.”
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Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: Durban plays host to Africa’s greatest horse race – the Durban July, held annually on the first Saturday in July at Greyville Racecourse. While the first official horse race took place there in 1844, the first Durban July – then called the Durban Turf Club Handicap – was run in 1897. It’s been run every year since then and now attracts over 50,000 visitors to Durban over ‘July Weekend’.
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