Sharks out to reverse fortunes against the Bulls
The Cell C Sharks will be hoping to avenge the drubbing they
received from the Bulls when they face off in the Rainbow Cup SA this Saturday
at Jonsson Kings Park.
The match is the final of the local competition with the winner guaranteed to play against the winner of the Guiness PRO14 Rainbow Cup in the North versus South final on 19 June in Treviso.
Beating the Bulls since the emergence of Covid-19 has been difficult for the Sharks after the Pretoria side bolstered their ranks significantly following the re-emergence of rugby after the lockdown.
This week the Sharks are expected to return to their tried and tested squad following a plethora of changes for the win against the Lions last week and skipper Lukhanyo Am wants them to continue that form.
"It's a big game and there is a lot at stake, and we will try to prepare as much as we can to get the win,” Am said.
“The guys that are coming back into the side this weekend will definitely be trying to keep up the standard and try to bring energy and continuity from last week's result.
"We won't shy away from our DNA and our style of play but the Bulls come with a different threat and so we have to find a balance and execute as well as we can.”
The match is a semi-final with the winner heading through to the final of the competition and Am knows that beating the Bulls in a knock-out match is difficult.
"I think it will be one of those games," he commented
"We will have to find a balance between playing the running and flashy rugby and being smart, tactical and playing in the right areas of the field.
"We know the Bulls side are a very disciplined side so we will have to be smart with our plays.
"Local derbies are never easy but we've had a really good record playing at home and we've learnt a lot from the past defeat to the Bulls,” he added.
Should the Sharks qualify for the competition final they will be without their Springbok players who will be preparing for the British and Irish Lions tour.
Given the showing that the Sharks put in against the Lions last week, Am believes they are in good hands going forward.
“The boys did an amazing job to get a win against the Lions away from home and give us a chance to qualify for the final.
"Rugby is a team sport and the boys showed that last week.
"We'll do our best this week and try our best to get the Sharks into that final."
In the big news that broke on Tuesday, Springbok World Cup winning hooker Bongi Mbonambi has signed with the Cell C Sharks.
