Sharks interim head coach JP Pietersen. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Sharks interim head coach JP Pietersen expects an unpredictable and physical encounter between the Sharks and Lions in their United Rugby Championship derby on Saturday. The teams clash at 3.30pm at Kings Park in Durban, with another South African derby, the Stormers vs Bulls, playing out in Cape Town at 6pm.
Pietersen named aSpringbok-studded teamto take on the Lions, with prop Ox Nché and fullback Aphelele Fassi back from injury. They join the starting XV while Corné Rahl and Siya Masuku also return to play from the bench. Pietersen said the Sharks were riding momentum from their back-to-back wins over Saracens and Bulls, but know the Lions will pose a real threat despite being on a three-game losing streak.
“Two wins bring energy and bring the group tighter,”the Sharks coachsaid. “But we also identified our work-ons, it’s important for us to grow. Two wins mean nothing if you don’t back it up.
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We want to keep it going. We want to work hard and make the team better. “The Lions are eighth on the log.
It shows the way they play and how good they are. They have a good group of coaching staff that has been around for a while, so they have a good understanding of what they want to do.” Pietersen referred to theLions beating the Bulls 43-33at Loftus in November, and thennarrowly losing 34-27 to the Stormersin Cape Town two weeks ago. “Their hopes will be high that they can come down to Kings Park and win.
“It will be a great challenge because South African derbies can be unpredictable and as physical as it gets. We’ve prepared ourselves for a physical battle.The Lionswill want to move the ball, something we also want to do, and play a bit of rugby. “Hopefully, we can give the fans a good game of rugby. A nice entertaining game will be good going into the new year.”
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