Preview: Cell C Sharks vs Griquas – Featured Durban Blog

A full programme of exciting rugby awaits Growthpoint KINGS PARK later today as the Cell C Sharks host Griquas in the main event, with the Under 19s and Under 21s taking on their EP counterparts in the earlier games.

The action kicks off at 3.15 with the main game starting at 7.10pm.

For the Cell C Sharks, this match is all about continuing where they left off last week. It was a statement of intent to defeat the side who beat them last year, to not necessarily beat the Pumas (because revenge is not always a good motivator), but to get their campaign off to a winning start and as importantly, to play at a level that lays a platform from which to grow.

Tonight’s game will see coach Robert du Preez exhorting his players to deliver a fine performance that not only the fans enjoy watching, but one they enjoy being a part of.

Griquas have proved thorny opposition in recent past and have not taken on the Cell C Sharks with any kind of inferiority. By contrast, there is nothing they like better than to come out of matches against the bigger unions victorious, if nothing more than to show that they need to be taken seriously in this competition.

Indeed, a 36-14 defeat in Upington in the Currie Cup Qualifying competition is rude reminder that this team deserves plenty of respect.  Of course, that Cell C Sharks team has changed somewhat since then, with the inclusion of their Super Rugby players, and this is a new competition.

But they do have a young backline and regular eighthman Philip van der Walt who will play on the flank this week is comfortable that the pack will lay the foundation for the youngsters to shine.

“The new guys are very exciting and we are looking to keep the ball in hand longer and actually play and that’s the important thing,” he explains.

“And the forwards need to create the space, we need to be direct and earn the right to go wide, so our job as the forwards is to dominate contact so that space will open up on the outside.”

Before arriving at the Cell C Sharks, van der Walt had been playing rugby in France, but earlier in his career was part of the Cheetahs’ Super Rugby franchise, which also co-opted players from Griquas into their squad.

“I am familiar with some of the Griquas’ players and everyone knows they’re a gutsy side. They did well in the qualifiers [finishing second with 11 victories in 14 outings] and we don’t expect anything less than what we saw in that competition.

“They bring a lot of energy into their game, they enjoy a ball in hand approach which makes them unpredictable and they also have a really good set-piece which is quite accurate.

“We know we’re up for a hard game and we’ve prepared as well as we could because we know they’re going to come here and play good rugby; we have to play smart.”