Back to basics for “Beaten up” Sharks

Sharks coach Robert Du Preez speaks of his team being “beaten up” in the Bulls’ 37-14 drubbing of them over the weekend.

The Bulls have been a force thus far, with their Springbok laden Bok team, and handed the Sharks a hiding on home turf.

In reviewing Saturday’s match, Du Preez said:

“It was another clinical performance from the Bulls. They dismantled us, especially in that first 20 minutes where we just couldn’t get going with those penalties we conceded.”

“Guys that have come in like Schalk Brits and Duane Vermeulen have made a massive difference.

“You can see that Handre (Pollard) is controlling everything in the backline, so I think they’re in a good place and they’ve done really well.

“Coming up here in a local derby is always going to be tough … it was like a Test match.” – Sport24

The Sharks initially also started their season well, with an away smashing of the Sunwolves and a return win over the Blues, but now find themselves heading into their bye having lost the last two games, tow their South African counterparts the Stormers and Bulls, by significant margins.

Du Preez spoke of the physicality of the encounters, that his side was unable to match. “The derbies are unbelievably physical. The team that is the most aggressive and physical comes out on top and we’ve been beaten up two weeks in a row now.”