Today’s Heineken Champions Cup return leg clash with Union Bordeaux Bègles at Hollywoodbets Kings Park promises fireworks for one side looking to continue their winning ways and another fighting for pride.
Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby has thrown a strong, Springbok-heavy side into this fixture as his team look to maintain their 100% success record.
“It’s great to have everybody back, which was all part of a plan we had before we even started this 11 game block, knowing that it would be tough for the same team to go 11 games in a row,” Powell explained of the team selection.
“We’re very happy with the team we’ve selected and hopefully they can do the job for us.”
Home ground advantage goes beyond having a passionate support base and certainly the Cell C Sharks will feed off the crowd’s energy later. But they will also look to use the conditions in their favour with temperatures soaring and a ‘real-feel’ in the mid 30s.
“The conditions will only be to our advantage if we play them correctly,” Powell admitted. “We have a plan on how to play Bordeaux in these conditions, which are totally different to what they know. With the heat and humidity, the ball is tricky to keep in hand and to really play an expansive game.
“We’ve trained all week in this weather and we have a good understanding of how difficult it is to handle the ball.”
As a premier competition, one of the toughest – if not the toughest – in world rugby, the Cell C Sharks’ have big ambitions in the Heineken Champions Cup and will have as their primary objective another win to go with their first two, to remain unbeaten.
“We set ourselves high standards to go out there and play to out standards and bring the effort that comes with it,” Powell explained.
“The players were rested last week and the plan was for them to come into this game with as much energy as possible.
“This is about us, our standards and what we want to achieve, and we expect this team to get the job done.”
Casting his eye at the opposition, he warns that it won’t be easy, even with the conditions favouring his team.
“Bordeaux are one of the top teams in the French league, tough opposition to play against, very unpredictable and try to get you to play unstructured rugby on defence. But the way they play also gives you opportunities.
“Given the conditions, I think they will probably play a similar game they play in France, to preserve as much energy as possible and that could mean a big kicking game. Then try to have a go at you when they get into your defensive zone.
“A big threat is their front foot kicks, especially in these conditions and that’s something we’ve planned for.
“But knowing the French teams, they can come out and do anything.”
While there is always pressure that comes with ambitions, Bordeaux will be feeling the weight of expectation on them more severely. They’ve lost both of their matches and this game is the last chance saloon to progress to the knock-outs.
“This is probably Bordeaux’s last opportunity to get themselves into the next round of the European Cup, so we expect anything from them. They will throw the kitchen sink at us because they have nothing to lose.
“It’s a game that we definitely have to be up for.”