Post our Currie Cup match against Free State, the Cell C Sharks Team Doctor, Alan Kourie, has issued the following injury update:
| Name of Player | Injury | Update |
| Jean Deysel | Hip Flexor Strain | – Will resume modified training this week; – To undergo a fitness test later this week. |
| Keegan Daniel | Abdominal Strain | – Will not be available for selection this week. |
| Odwa Ndungane | Torn Peck Muscle | – To undergo an operation this Wednesday; – Out for the rest of the season. |
| Patrick Lambie | Concussion | – Will resume full training this week and he will be monitored by the medical staff to determine how he comes through; – This does not necessarily mean that he will be available for selection this week. |
| Philip van der Walt | Concussion | – Will not be available for selection this week. |
| S’bura Sithole | Groin Strain | – Will not be available for selection this week. |
| Stephan Lewies | Hamstring strain | – Will resume modified training this week; – To undergo a fitness test later this week. |
Cobus Reinach, Daniel du Preez and Tera Mtembu’s recovery are on track. There are no further developments to report on, concerning their injuries.
The post Injury Update appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
Every coach will say the same, that without a platform from which to attack, a team will battle to get their game going, as was the case for the Cell C Sharks in their Currie Cup clash with Free State on Saturday.
Head coach Robert du Preez admitted as much after the game when he singled out his team’s set-piece as an area that Free State targeted and gained ascendancy in the match, which put immense pressure on the home side.
“The set-pieces were a huge problem for us, especially the scrum, so we could never get going,” he explained. “The lineouts weren’t great either and we battled to exit our 22.
“You have to have a good set-piece, a good base to play from, and I think that’s where it all started.”
The issues with the set-piece were by no means a structural problem that needs to be fixed, but rather as a result of losing key personnel before and during the match and that had a huge effect on the scrum’s stability.
Captain Keegan Daniel failed a late fitness test on Friday, while Stephan Lewies was also ruled out, and then stand-in captain Philip van der Walt had to be stretchered off the field after a clash of heads in the opening minute of the game.
“We were disrupted a lot, Stephan and Keegan were late withdrawals and then you lose your captain in first minute and vice-captain.”
As far as leadership goes, this is a tough pill for any side to swallow, and Odwa Ndungane was another senior leader who left the field prematurely with a possible torn bicep muscle. Young Franco Marais took over the reins of captain and later substitute hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle held the position.
“This is a young team and I think we battled to get over those player losses in the game,” said du Preez.
Philip van der Walt fortunately returned from treatment to watch the rest of the game from the stands, and du Preez confirmed that, “He should be alright, although I’m not too sure if he will be ready for the next game.”
Given the youthful look about the team once they had lost many of their leaders, the coach did agree that it was a character building exercise for his team.
“This was very disappointing,” he said. “But they would definitely have learned a lot from this game.”
What lessons did he hope they would take out of the loss?
“The players need to remember the hurt so they don’t go through it again.”
The Cell C Sharks will be hosting Eastern Province next Saturday at Growthpoint KINGS PARK and after two losses, will be gunning to get their campaign back on track, especially as they are still in a strong position to finish the pool stages on or near the top of the log.
“The next game is really important for us,” coach du Preez admitted.
The coach confirmed that lock general Stephan Lewies is probably another week away and most likely won’t be available to play the Kings on Saturday.
The post Building a Platform appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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