Ball retention will be key for the Toyota Free State Cheetahs when they travel to Durban to face The Sharks on Saturday afternoon.
According to Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske, his team only had themselves to blame for losing against the Vodacom Blue Bulls last week after they lead by 17-3 shortly before the break.
The Sharks have also been solid this season and kicked off their defence of the Absa Currie Cup with a superb victory over the Bulls at Mr Price Kings Park two weekends ago.
“The Sharks are the form team at the moment and we know it will be very tough down in Durban, but we placed ourselves under some pressure for throwing away the game in Pretoria last weekend,” said Drotske.
“We have done well against them before, but last year they beat us twice, so I don’t think we can be regarded as The Sharks’ bogey team any more. They were very impressive against the Bulls and we’ll have to play well on Saturday.
“The most important area for us would be ball retention. The stats show The Sharks score 70 to 80 percent of their tries from bad kicks by their opponents, so we need to ensure we keep the ball and build momentum, which is when we’re at our most dangerous.”
Saturday 30 July: The Sharks vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs, kick-off at 15:00 in Mr Price Kings Park, Durban. Referee: Jason Jaftha
Last year in Absa Currie Cup:
- 31 July – The Sharks won 25-13 in Bloemfontein
- 18 September – The Sharks won by 30-16 in Durban
Fixtures:
- Friday 29 July: Regent Boland Cavaliers vs Valke, kick-off at 15:00 in Boland Stadium, Wellington. Referee: Joey Salmans
- Friday 29 July: EP Kings vs Tasol Solar Griffons, kick-off at 19:00 in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. Referee: Pro Legoete
- Friday 29 July: SWD Eagles vs Border Bulldogs, kick-off at 19:00 in Outeniqua Park, George. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
- Friday 29 July: Ford Pumas vs GWK Griquas, kick-off at 19:00 in the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Referee: Marius Jonker
- Saturday 30 July: South Africa vs New Zealand, kick off at 09:35 in Wellington.
- Saturday 30 July: The Sharks vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs, kick-off at 15:00 in Mr Price Kings Park, Durban. Referee: Jason Jaftha
- Saturday 30 July: DHL Western Province vs Vodacom Blue Bulls, kick-off at 17:05 in DHL Newlands, Cape Town. Referee: Craig Joubert
- Saturday 30 July: MTN Golden Lions vs Platinum Leopards, kick-off at 17:00 in Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg. Referee: Sindile Mayende
