Sharks head coach JP Pietersen says Friday’s warm-up against the SWD Eagles will be about far more than simply getting minutes into the legs ahead of the Vodacom URC.
Despite many players still returning from injury, Pietersen was able to name a strong side for the trip up the Garden Route. Loosehead prop Vincent Koch, openside flank Phepsi Buthelezi, scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and winger Makazole Mapimpi all start, while utility back Jaden Hendrikse is on an extended bench.
Winger Suleiman Hartzenberg, who has been loaned to the Sharks by the Stormers, where he amassed 61 caps, is also among the replacements.
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With the Sharks now entering the final stages of their pre-season, Pietersen sees the clash in George as an important opportunity to bring together the different elements of their preparation.
“Obviously, the main objective is game time. How we can get them quickly to see how close or how far we are from match fitness,” Pietersen told the media on Thursday.
“But the second objective is obviously individuals stepping up. How can they manage themselves? How can they perform under pressure? How can they perform in a new combination? That’s what we look at.”
The Sharks have also used their extended pre-season to integrate a number of players from their Currie Cup group, with Friday’s fixture offering those players another opportunity to push their claims for the URC campaign.
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Pietersen is looking for the Sharks’ pre-season work to translate into performance in George.
“There’s attack and defence, and obviously we want to be fast and physical and relentless, and see if our identity can speak for itself on the field. So it’s going to be a game where we can build cohesion as quickly as possible, and it gives us another opportunity next week against the Lions.”
The Sharks will face the Lions at Ellis Park in their second warm-up on Friday 11 September, giving Pietersen another chance to fine-tune his squad before the URC opener against the Ospreys in Durban.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post JP outlines Sharks’ Eagles mission appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sharks head coach JP Pietersen says Friday’s warm-up against the SWD Eagles will be about far more than simply getting minutes into the legs ahead of the Vodacom URC.
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