The Sharks are gearing up for a critical encounter in the Carling Currie Cup as they travel to Nelspruit to face the Airlink Pumas on Saturday. The match, kicking off the weekend’s action, offers the Sharks a chance to avenge their 31-21 defeat in Durban a fortnight ago.
Fresh off their maiden win of the season, a 29-21 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg, the Sharks are determined to secure another away win. Coach JP Pietersen, buoyed by the return of veteran Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane, expressed confidence in his squad after their bonus-point triumph at Ellis Park.
Pietersen emphasized the importance of freedom and growth within the team. “Like last week, the team has the freedom to express themselves and continue to grow,” he said. Reflecting on the Pumas, last year’s beaten finalists, he added, “The Pumas have been together for a few years now and there is massive belief in their team. We respect them because you saw what they did against us in Durban.”
While revenge might be a tempting narrative, Pietersen stressed the need for consistency. “We are not looking for revenge, but rather consistency in our performance,” he said. He anticipates a tough challenge from the Pumas pack, noting, “They scored a couple of maul tries against us at home. They are direct with their pick-and-goes through the middle. They have been working hard for the last two years. You don’t get to a final if you don’t work hard.”
Captain Nick Hatton echoed these sentiments, highlighting the confidence boost from last week’s victory. “The win restored confidence. We knew we were playing good rugby up to that point and were disappointed not to get over the line in two of the games. We needed an 80-minute performance; going forward, we need to continue with those 80-minute performances,” Hatton said.
However, Hatton tempered the optimism with a reality check, acknowledging the need for sustained results. “The team is in a good space, but we have to understand that it’s just one win and we have another big challenge this weekend. We’re well aware of what’s ahead, but we are in a good place and the guys believe. It’s only one win, but we’re hungry for more.”
Hatton also praised the impact of the debutants who donned the senior Black & White jersey for the first time, stating, “The guys who came in added good value, and the junior Springbok players are match-ready; they all fitted in really well. They’re really talented players and great guys to work with.”
Pietersen has further strengthened his squad with the return of two internationals. Trevor Nyakane replaces Mawande Mdanda, and Tino Mavesere, back from Zimbabwe’s Rugby Africa Cup campaign, comes in at flank. Additionally, Eduan Keyter will replace Yaw Penxe on the wing. Chris Horak, the former Hilton College and Sharks Craven Week flyhalf, has been named as cover off the bench, marking his debut.
As the Sharks prepare for this crucial match, their focus remains on maintaining form, delivering a strong performance, and continuing their upward trajectory in the Currie Cup.