Friday night’s Carling Currie Cup competition sees the Cell C Sharks travelling to Mbombela to take on the Airlink Pumas in a traditionally tough match for touring sides, although this is a Sharks side riding a wave of confidence.
There’s none more dangerous than a wounded animal and the Pumas haven’t enjoyed the start they would like which makes this clash even tougher for a Cell C Sharks side looking to maintain their run of outstanding form that has seen them earning 14 out of a maximum 15 points to top the log after their three matches.
As a former Cell C Sharks player himself with experience of playing the smaller unions away from home, assistant coach JP Pietersen knows exactly what is coming.
“My advice to the boys is not to wait for the Pumas to come to them, but rather to be well-prepared for whatever they throw at us because it’s going to be a very physical game.
“It’s never easy playing in Nelspruit,” he admits.
“The Pumas haven’t had the best of starts with only one win so far so they’re a bit under the pump. But if you want someone to get you up for a game, their coach Jimmy Stonehouse is the right guy and I think they will come out firing.”
There have been a few changes in personnel since the last match, a 43-31 victory over the Sigma Lions in Johannesburg two weeks ago, and Pietersen believes the side named is perfect for this match.
“The changes we’ve made are about giving everyone an opportunity, but looking at the side we’ve named, it’s a very experienced team because this is an important game against Pumas and we need experience and composure with a good mix of youngsters.
“This is a good opportunity for Sanele Nohamba to get a start, he’s been training well and we’re excited that he’s starting.”
Although there have been long breaks between games, Pietersen is not overly fazed about this.
“We’re managing ok, in a way, it gives teams time for injured players to recover, although it does test the group. We’re also feeding into the URC squad which gives club and under 20 players an opportunity to train with the squad and that just broadens the selection base we have.”
Although it’s been an excellent start for the Cell C Sharks, Pietersen admits that there is no resting on their laurels, or losing sight of the immediate challenge ahead.
“For us it’s about taking it game by game and to get better as a group. The motivation for us as a Currie Cup team is to perform each time we run out onto the field, and there is further motivation for the players to see that there are opportunities for those who perform at Currie Cup level to be selected in the URC side. “If they perform for us, they show Sean Everitt that they want to be in the URC team. It’s also good from a coaching point of view to be able to bring youngsters through.”