The Sharks have added their returning Springboks to the squad for Friday night’s United Rugby Championship match against Cardiff in Wales.
Assistant coach Warren Whiteley said the Springboks arrived on Sunday. He said they have fully joined the touring group ahead of the game at Cardiff Arms Park.
“They’re a quality, quality team, and we know Corniel has a lot of experience when it comes to the set-piece and especially lineout,” Whiteley said.
Cardiff are coached by Corniel van Zyl, a former Cheetahs lock. Whiteley said the set piece will be one of the main areas of the match.
“He’s an astute lineout coach and he’s very smart. It’s going to be a massive battle, and that will be one of the big, big areas of the game,” he said.
The Sharks go into the match after a win over Lyon in France last weekend. A young Sharks side scored after the hooter to win that game.
Veteran lock Stephan Lewies said the squad is full of confidence after the result. He spoke to the media ahead of the Cardiff game.
“To go to France, a hostile environment, away from home, and get the victory is special,” Lewies said.
He said young players often do not realise what they have achieved. He said the team was pleased with how it kept fighting while the score went up and down.
“To have a full 80 or 82-minute performance to score there and get a victory with such a young group, I think we can be proud of that and we can build on that in the future,” Lewies said.
Lewies said close wins like this one help a team grow stronger. “When times are maybe a bit tougher, you can look back on those victories where you were relentless and fight towards the end… and you get confidence that you can do it again,” he said.
The Sharks will also play on Cardiff’s artificial 4G surface. Lewies said players do not often like playing on it.
“I prefer grass,” Lewies said. He explained that the ball bounces a little higher on the artificial pitch. He said players must be more alert when the ball is loose.
“But at the end of the day, it’s rugby between four lines. You can’t change that; both teams playing on the same surface,” he said.
The Sharks play Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park in the Welsh capital on Friday night.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.