Bolstered by the inclusion of Springbok players into today’s Carling Currie Cup clash with the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will know that only a concerted effort will be enough against their tough and proud foes.
Head coach JP Pietersen had no hesitation in welcoming the gesture from Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to include players released from the national team’s camp, naming six Springboks in his Hollywoodbets Sharks team to play Griquas.
Pietersen explained that some of those returning to Durban now have the opportunity to get game time in preparation for the Springbok clash with Portugal, but have been welcomed with open arms, even if just for a brief period.
“They were available and it makes sense to bring them in to play a game and get them ready for the following week against Portugal,” he said.
“As to cohesion, Andre Esterhuizen has played here before while Trevor Nyakane is the new guy, but he’s not making a lot of decisions like a 10, his main job is to give us some good go-forward ball at scrum-time.”
With the added firepower, Pietersen’s Hollywoodbets Sharks team are in a good mental space.
“The loss against the Lions hurt us but we took a lot of confidence out of the game, and we know Griquas are themselves a confident team, they’ve been very successful at home although the lost to the Pumas last weekend.
“The challenge for us is whether we expect the Boks to win us the game, or the rest of the group continue on from last week.”
Cohesion is always important and having Springboks come in and put of the squad can be a challenge, but by the same token, there’s no putting a value on what they bring and what they impart on their younger, less experienced team-mates.
“The team is quite tight, with some experienced leaders in the group and the way I look at it, Nick Hatton and some of the younger guys in the squad get to spend time with experienced, Rugby World Cup winning Springboks and to learn from them.
“It’s something they will benefit from and I see it as a massive positive. They will learn so much, the young props will learn from Trevor, and I see this as an opportunity for learning, and to learn as quick as possible.”
With many a team having lost in Kimberley, no-one takes Griquas lightly and Pietersen has been there before.
“We’ve all struggled there; Griquas in Kimberley have a group that have been together for eight months, they braai together and they have a deep brotherhood and with that comes the cohesiveness.
“They work hard through the year and with that comes belief that they can beat anyone in Kimberley.
“The challenge for us is staying in the fight because we know what’s coming.”