The Cell C Sharks are in Kimberley for tonight’s Carling Currie Cup clash with Windhoek Draught Griquas expecting nothing less than a committed and highly physical welcome from the hosts.
Head coach Etienne Fynn believes his team go into this match well-prepared and ready for what Griquas will throw at them. The men from Kimberley have always brought a lot of pride to their home games and many and traditionally big five team have arrived with confidence and left in disappointment.
The Cell C Sharks have focussed on their game and producing the goods for this first of the return leg round.
“In a nutshell, the focus of our preparation has been on managing the small moments in a game,” Fynn explains.
Remaining in the running for a top four finish is vital, but the coach admits that he is hesitant to call this game a ‘must-win’.
“The emphasis or focus on winning matches is always there and no doubt, this is a very important game for us. After starting with four wins on the trot then slipping against the Bulls and Free State, both games we could have won and were in up to a point, going away to Kimberley and winning will kick-start the rest of our campaign.
“Turning it into a must-win puts undue pressure on players to manage, but the expectation is to come away with a positive result.”
His expectations of Griquas and what they will bring reflects the thoughts of many a coach over the last number of years.
“Griquas have traditionally been extremely tough and uncompromising at home in Kimberley, we expect the same tonight.
Their forwards love to get stuck in and the set-piece will be a crucial part of the game, for both sides.
“Griquas have good coaches and good structures, and they have some experienced campaigners; they’re more than competent when it comes to the set-piece. We’ve prepared accordingly, whether it rains or it’s a typical Kimberley balmy evening, we will be fine as far as set-piece goes.
“I expect it to be a traditional Currie Cup match, guys getting stuck into each other. That never changes in our national competition.”
The selection of flankers James Venter and Dylan Richardson together in the back row suggests a fierce competition and the duo, who bring a lot of energy, will present great nuisance factor as players Fynn explains.
“Dylan has come back from a sustained injury-related break, he was due a start, he’s an international class player and he can fulfil any role in the loose trio, be that to carry or slow the ball down or just to cover a lot of ground. He has a massive engine as has James, so we do expect them to be quick around the park and bring an exceptionally high work rate.”
There is also plenty of experience in the second row with the return to play of Ruben van Heerden after an injury lay-off.
“Ruben van Heerden and Hyron Andrews have played many games at senior level for the Cell C Sharks, so we’re very happy to have them starting for us. Ruben is back from injury, he’s trained really well over the last few weeks and has now been cleared to play so he comes back into the starting line-up.
“Both he and Hyron have proper engines and contribute all over the park.”