The Cell C Sharks have the opportunity to build on recent Vodacom United Rugby Championship successes when they host Edinburgh Rugby at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
An analysis of the teams in fifth and sixth place on the log suggests the sides are fairly evenly matched. Defensively, both sides have an 88% tackle success rate and there isn’t much to separate the two in the scrumming and lineout departments.
Where Edinburgh have excelled is on the ground, with the best turnover success rate in the tournament while they lead the clean break stats as well.
As one of the top sides in the tournament, just outside the top four, they would relish the opportunity to build a gap between themselves and the chasers, the Cell C Sharks three points adrift in sixth place with a game in hand.
For the Cell C Sharks, continuing their successful recent form to garner another home victory would place them in close proximity to the top four.
Speaking about the team’s confidence in the lead-up to the match, Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt admitted that, “The team has gained confidence from the four wins, I thought last week our performance was better although we didn’t finish the opportunities we created. It’s also good for us to have some consistency in selection which helps build cohesion.
Although winning is a habit you don’t want to mess with, what changes and what stays the same for the Cell C Sharks?
“For us, it’s about finishing the opportunities we create,” the coach explained.
“Last week we left four tries on the table through elementary and fundamental mistakes, so you add 28 points onto our total and that’s a big win.
“We just have to continue growing in what we’re trying to achieve and that’s to play total rugby. But we can only do that if we complete the opportunities that we create.”
In terms of the fight for log positions, Everitt pointed out that a lot lies at stake as far as log points are concerned.
“Edinburgh are just a bit ahead of us and if we can keep marching, who knows what will happen at the end of the round robin stages.
“They’re a dangerous team, they play a similar style to the Scottish national team and they like to keep the ball moving. They have some dangerous backs and they put a lot of pressure on the breakdown so defensively we’re going to have to be very good to look after a well-organised attack.”
Losing Lukhanyo Am for the short term has been a blow to the team, but Everitt believes the replacements are more than capable of doing the job at centre.
“I thought Ben Tapuia and Marius Louw worked well together in tandem at 12 and 13 on Saturday. There was a lot of free movement of the ball and we were able to keep it moving on a number of occasions which was pleasing to see.
“Yes, we feel the brunt of losing one of the best centres in the world, but the guys who stood up in hos place did a good job last weekend and that’s why we’re continuing with them as far as selection is concerned.”