Players Excited About the Start of the Season – Featured Durban Blog

With the Vodacom Super Rugby season now upon us with week one of the 2016 campaign kicking off this weekend, two Cell C Sharks players reflect on the excitement they feel ahead of the competition.

Lwazi Mvovo is an established member of the team, now into his 10th season with the Cell C Sharks, and he’s had to say goodbye to a few fullbacks he has played with, but is excited at the prospect of linking up with Springbok Willie le Roux.

A back three featuring any of le Roux, Mvovo, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Odwa Ndungane and Wandile Mjekevu cannot be anything but dangerous and exciting, and Mvovo relishes the opportunity to link up with the man many believe to be one of the most dynamic attackers in world rugby.  And it is not only his attacking prowess that excites Mvovo but le Roux’s composure under pressure.

“I think Willie is a world class player, and with that experience at the back, he eases the tension and nerves,” Mvovo explains. “As a back three combination, we are very excited in showing what we can do.”

But if attack is important, so too is the role of defence and it is an area the Cell C Sharks have placed great emphasis on as they enter the season. A full package is what they envisage.

“Omar Mouneimne [Defence Coach], as a new coach – and also looking back at the defensive mistakes we made last year – adds something different, and judging from the two games we played already there will be a lot of excitement in defence. He has brought so much experience and a different way of defending.

“The new coaches (Robert du Preez and Omar) have brought so much into the Cell C Sharks,” Mvovo said. “The guys have learnt and are willing to take on board whatever the new coaches are teaching us. It’s new voices, and so many new ideas; the guys are excited about the season.”

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, where the forwards will be hammering away at each other in the quest for physical dominance, one man who can’t wait is another newly-recruited Springbok, Coenie Oosthuizen.

He does temper his eagerness over the new challenge that awaits, with a less than enthusiastic sentiment towards the heat.  “Durban does have its attractions,” he laughs, “But I won’t include the humidity of our pre-season training. For a Bloem man, that was hectic.”

Despite his considerable reputation, he acknowledges that he still needs to earn his stripes if he’s to make a meaningful impact at the Cell C Sharks. “I have to establish myself and the big thing for me is to earn respect and become a role model,” he says.

Reflecting on Saturday’s clash with the Kings, he understands the need to balance enthusiasm with levelheadedness. With every team hoping to kick off the opening round with a bang, it’s vital to both play with passion as well as respect your opponents.

“While we are aiming to come out firing, so are they. They are at home and have a point to prove to the world. It is going to be a heck of battle.”