Preview: The Cell C Sharks vs Bulls – Featured Durban Blog

After three rounds of Vodacom Super Rugby, the Cell C Sharks will look for more of the same as they take on the Bulls at Loftus tonight in what is shaping up to be a very important clash, not only in the context of the tournament, but for the team as well.

Halfway through back-to-back local derbies, against two of the toughest sides in South Africa, the Cell C Sharks will be looking to continue the form they have showed so far. In fact, not just continue, but improve.

“We’ve taken a lot of confidence out of the Stormers’ match, although we know there are still things to work on and if you want to strive to be successful in this competition, you have to get better as a team,” says the creator of Joe Pietersen’s match-winning try last week, namesake JP.

With a recent record that favours the Bulls in clashes between the two sides, a victory for the Cell C Sharks would be huge, not only for themselves, but for the fans too.

“That Stormers’ match was a real test of our character. No-one gave us a chance going down to Cape Town, but winning means a lot to us, it puts lots of pride back into the Cell C Sharks jersey as well as some gratitude to our fans who show faith in us.”

“The Bulls have had a break, they’re fresh and ready to go. It’s going to be a massive task for us going to Pretoria and performing. We need to be on top of our game and be ready for whatever the Bulls throw at us at Loftus.”

Ultimately, much hinges on belief: if you believe you can, you will; but if you believe you can’t, you won’t and it’s the former that the Cell C Sharks will take into this vital game.

“The belief is there, we took a lot of confidence out of the Stormers game,” he explains. “We have a good team, the structure is there and we have a good game plan, the most important thing is for us to pitch up. In fact, not just pitch up, but bring our ‘A’ game. I’ve had 10 or 11 seasons of Super Rugby and it’s always tough against the Bulls. Pretoria is not the easiest place to go play rugby, they’re a very proud franchise.”

Director of Rugby Gary Gold echoes his sentiments, explaining that, “The Bulls are very dangerous at home; I thought their performance against the Rebels was outstanding. They have a new, feared attacking edge to their game; they’re a formidable unit and we need to bring our ‘A’ game if we want to compete against them.”

Although the Bulls have evolved into a team that looks to inject excitement into their attack, one thing that never changes – and is unlikely to ever change – is the level of physicality they bring to the game.

They are a team that bases much on dominating the opposition, something that isn’t lost on Cell C Sharks captain Beast Mtawarira.
“The Bulls are going to be quite fresh, and we know one thing they will bring is massive physicality, it’s always a physical battle when you play them at Loftus. It’s going to be a battle of the set-piece. We’re up against one of the ultimate scrumming sides in the competition, there’s no underestimating them whatsoever.”

“But we all enjoy playing up at Loftus,  there is always a great atmosphere and it’s pretty special to play them there.”