As the Cell C Sharks prepare for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 knock-out clash with Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, they know there is much they can offer the Irish.
Cell C Sharks captain Siya Kolisi, reflecting on last week’s match against Scarlets, was brutally honest and felt his team had let themselves down. A Springbok laden Cell C Sharks side offered a brave counter to the Welsh, but ultimately came undone by ring-rustiness following a protracted enforced break.
“We weren’t good as a unit, you could see we hadn’t played together as a unit and I thought as a team, we weren’t good,” he offered.
“ A few players had individual good moments but as a team, we didn’t do well and we weren’t happy at all with the standard, that was absolute nonsense what we put out there and we’re really disappointed in ourselves.
“We all agreed after that game that we have to come with a different mindset and attitude against Munster.”
There is no shortage of motivation this weekend. Not only is it a knock-out match in a premium international competition, but an opportunity to right some wrongs.
“We disappointed ourselves, each individual has to be better. We disappointed the team and together as a unit we have to be better. And for our supporters, we want to make sure we put in a much better performance this weekend. We’re definitely motivated.”
Munster come to Durban and will offer formidable opposition to the Cell C Sharks, as Kolisi pointed out.
“Munster are a strong side who have done well in this competition and this match is a knock-out: you lose, you’re out. We want to make sure we put in a proper performance to give ourselves the chance to get to the quarter-finals.
“They’re an amazing side with a very strong attack, they hold on to the ball for longer than most teams in the competition. They’re also good at the breakdown, on attack and defence, and they have the quickest ruck speed in the tournament.
“They have a strong pack, made up of Irish internationals, so there is so much that we need to look out for. They’re a great team, they play well together and they know what they are all about.”
Looking at his own team, he admitted that, “We just need to be at our best in everything that we do. The biggest thing for us is to make sure we get up for the game and make sure we are aware at all times, because they can do anything, especially at set-piece time with all their trick plays.”
Saturday’s excitement kicks off at 1.30pm with a host of family-friendly events lined up before and after the knock-out.