Preview: Cell C Sharks vs Province:
The Cell C Sharks face a huge battle against Western Province when the two teams meet in their first round Currie Cup clash at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon, both intent on building on recent good form.
We are riding a wave of confidence following some truly testing times, in particular three tough, exceptionally physical matches against Griquas, the Blue Bulls and Lions in the matter of eight days, with victories in all three.
Cell C Sharks head coach Robert du Preez, commenting on that short, but hugely successful period, explained of our team’s fight back: “In the second half, the players started playing really good rugby and built momentum. They were calm at half-time, we never panicked and we started putting phases together when the guys hung on to the ball.
“The win over the Lions was a character boost, lot of guys had never won there, so it was really good for their confidence.
“It was a tough assignment playing the Bulls and Lions in a matter of days and then we had a bye which is never ideal, but we’ve had a good week of preparation for the Western Province match and I think the boys are ready to go.”
After a two week break, the Cell C Sharks are excited to get back into action and continue our run of good form.
Western Province also boast good recent form following their 39-3 win over the Lions last weekend and before that, a 45-34 victory over the Blue Bulls. But preceding that was a shock 44-34 loss to Griquas and with three wins from five matches, are in a healthy position on the log. In third place with 16 points, they will look to make gains on us, currently in second spot with 20 points, one behind log leaders Free State.
Du Preez admitted that they have a very tough assignment against Western Province who defeated the Lions rather emphatically last weekend, running out
“Defensively, they’ve been outstanding and we know they have plenty of x-factor players on attack.
“We’re going to have to really bring our A game, but the boys are up for it.”
The character shown to come from so far behind against the Lions says bundles about the team. Captain Ruan Botha commented that despite being 24-5 down at half-time and a fifth try conceded early in the second half, even in the change room and behind the post awaiting the conversion, there was a steely determination that all was not lost.
While the coaches will hope there is no repeat of that game – being forced to fight back from the death – they will certainly hope to see the same kind of character shown against Western Province that our team did against the Lions.
“You could see on the guys’ faces, they still wanted to play,” the captain said. “There was a lot of character there, but that’s all in the past and we’re looking forward to a new challenge this weekend.
“The belief and character in the team is there and we will try to build on that against Western Province, as we will each week.”
The post Preview: Cell C Sharks vs Province appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
KZN SHOW THE UBUNTU SPIRIT FOR INJURED RUGBY PLAYER:
Following an accident on the rugby field, 23 year old Lifa Hlongwa sustained a serious injury which left him with a challenging road to recovery. The KZN community have come together showing Lifa and his family compassion and humanity – Ubuntu!
On 29 June 2017, 23 year old Lifa Hlongwa from Seaview was running down the wing while playing flank for the Northwood Crusaders 2nd XV against Amanzimtoti. His opponent was in his sights and he had positioning himself for the tackle. Minutes later he was lying on his back, numb from his shoulders to his toes and unable to move. Team mates rushed to his side worried about their friend, whilst match officials and medical staff followed the serious injury procedures they’d learnt about during BokSmart training!
After emergency care and hospitalisation, it was soon established that Lifa had sustained spinal cord damage which could affect his ability to walk in the future. Playing rugby again was also probably out of the question. Lifa would have to face a long and challenging road involving intensive and specialised inpatient rehabilitation, to improve functional independence.
In response to Lifa’s injury, a meeting was set up with Gary Teichmann, Siseko Jafta and Dr Glen Hagermann from the Sharks Rugby Union, as well as John Smit and Gail Baerecke from the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund. The aim was to plan the best way forward for Lifa, by assisting him and his family to come to terms with the journey ahead.
As a result of this meeting and a display of true South African Ubuntu, the Life Entabeni Hospital Rehabilitation Centre received the call and pledged to provide up to 12 weeks of private rehabilitation for Lifa free of charge. This generous sponsorship is worth in the region of R300 000 and will provide Lifa with the best possible chance of becoming functionally independent before returning home to his family. Together the Players’ Fund and the Sharks Rugby Union committed to providing Lifa with all his mobility needs following rehab as well ongoing support for Lifa’s where needed.
Gail Baerecke from the Player’s Fund, who also holds the position of serious injury case manager (SICM) for SA Rugby’s BokSmart – national rugby safety programme had this to say…. “This unfortunate incident and the player involved have the right ingredients to make it a success story. Together as a team, I am confident we can achieve this.”
The overwhelming support from the Northwood Crusaders is another example of the real spirit of ubuntu. With the club activating a fundraising campaign within days of the accident and streams of messages filling the Northwood Crusaders social media pages. The team have also been in contact with Lifa’s employers, and they have confirmed that his position with them will be kept open for him pending his return.
The long road ahead of Lifa and his family will require ongoing support, so the challenge has been set to individuals and corporates who might be in the position to donate, to do so! The Northwood Crusaders have set up a fund for this reason, please DONATE today, every bit counts!
Bank details: Crusaders Rugby, Standard Bank, Acc : 032641257, Branch : Durban North, Reference : Lifa
For more info:
Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund
The Players’ Fund is the first to hear of traumatic/catastrophic injuries via the BokSmart (Nations Rugby Safety Programme) reporting process. Following the on-field care, we assess the immediate needs of the individual and their family and step in to assist with these where necessary. If mobility equipment is needed, we purchases the essentials, which might include any of the following, with extraordinary requests also considered: an electric wheelchair, a back-up manual wheelchair, pressure relieving cushions and mattresses, hospital beds, hoists, shower commodes, medical consumables.
The maintenance of mobility equipment is often a significant financial strain on the families, so we ensure that all equipment purchased by the Fund is in good working order, with regular services and upgrades if and when necessary.
The Fund is also involved in efforts to make rugby safer, to prevent similar injuries from happening again. This is done through a joint initiative with SA Rugby. BokSmart is the National Rugby Safety programme which creates awareness of rugby injuries and educates coaches and referees on rugby safety to ensure that seriously injured players are looked after as effectively as possible on the field to reduce long-term injury.
Website: www.playersfund.org.za
Telephone: (021) 659 5615
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/PlayersFund/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/playersfundsa
Life Entabeni Hospital
“The Life Rehabilitation unit at Life Entabeni Hospital offers a specialised healthcare service, dedicated to treating and rehabilitating clients who have been acutely disabled by a stroke, major trauma, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or by complex orthopaedic, neurological or medical conditions. The unit employs a comprehensive team of healthcare professionals dedicated to providing coordinated and expert services to clients and their families. The unit offers two fully equipped adult therapy gyms and one paediatric gym; therapy areas for practicing daily life skills; a heated hydrotherapy pool, as well as outdoor therapy areas. The Life Rehabilitation unit at Life Entabeni Hospital opened in January 2004 and is one of the largest units in the network, comprising 50 acute rehabilitation beds.”
Website: www.lifehealthcare.co.za/Hospitals/Acute_Rehabilitation_Services.aspx
Telephone: (031) 204 1300 (ext 360)
The post KZN SHOW THE UBUNTU SPIRIT FOR INJURED RUGBY PLAYER appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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