Following the conclusion of the June Test series between the Springboks and Ireland, Vodacom Super Rugby returns with the Cell C Sharks taking on the Lions in their return leg match this Saturday in Johannesburg.
“It’s exciting to be back and in familiar territory, we’re all excited for this week’s match,” explains Beast Mtawarira. “I’m feeling good after the Test series, perhaps a little stiff, but I’m fit and once I get going, I’ll just keep on playing.”
On a personal level, having captained the Cell C Sharks as well as being a senior statesman in the Springbok set-up he admits that, “It’s been a year of growth for me, I really learned a lot being given the captaincy role while Pat was out and I believe I’ve really grown.”
He played a big part in the Springbok series-clinching final Test and his scrumming and work off the ball were hugely impressive and came in for great praise.
“It is a work in progress as I always strive to get better and better,” he explains, “and I try to challenge myself every season. Here at the Sharks we have a good thing going, we’ve really been put through our paces this season, Omar [Mouneimne] has probably been one of the biggest differences this season for me and the boys.
“I’ll keep trying to raise the benchmark and there is plenty more rugby this season; I want to keep getting better.”
This weekend’s clash with the Lions will certainly test the mettle of the Cell C Sharks who know they have a battle royale on their hands as they take on arguably South Africa’s top side in the competition.
The Lions have suddenly mounted a challenge to the established Springbok set-up with many more players involved in the national squad, as compared with recent years, and that can only add to the morale of the side.
“This is definitely a very tough game ahead of us, but there is a lot of excitement about this challenge. It’s why we play rugby – to go up against the best. The Lions are top of the South African log and we’re going to have to really step up in a lot of areas.”
Beast admits that the home side go into this game as favourites, but for the Cell C Sharks players, this just provides added motivation.
“We have the underdog tag this week and we’re going to have to fight hard and win those inches on the field.”
With three matches remaining in the pool stages and all to fight for, this clash with the Lions takes on added importance with the result impacting on how the final places in Africa Conference 2 pan out.
“We are not underestimating the big challenge we have coming this week,” he admits. “We know the level of physicality we need to bring, it’s going to be tough.”
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