With just three changes made to the starting XV that beat the Golden Lions last week, the Hollywoodbets Sharks are looking to reap the rewards of consistency in selection in their round five Currie Cup clash with the Pumas in Mbombela on Saturday.
Double World Cup-winning tighthead Trevor Nyakane replaces Mawande Mdanda, while openside flanker Tino Mavesere comes in for Siya Ningiza and Yaw Penxe makes way for Eduan Keyter on the right wing.
“It’s good that we have a bit of continuity this weekend,” said JP Pietersen. “As a coach and as a team you can always prep better together, and fortunately for us we didn’t have a lot of injuries against the Lions, so it did help us.
“I don’t think the pressure’s on this group. I think this is a group that can express itself and can grow. We all agree that we can be better in our performances as a collective and we can definitely improve going into the Pumas game. We got a good balance in the Lions game, and the next question is can we get consistency as a group.”
The men in black and white currently lie fifth on the overall standings following that first win in the previous round, and now face a third-placed Pumas outfit that triumphed 31-21 in the reverse fixture in Durban just two weeks ago.
Heading into the clash, Pietersen paid his respects to Jimmy Stonehouse and his charges, a side that claimed the title just two short seasons ago.
“You can see that group’s been together for the last three years; they’ve got a dangerous team. They’ve got a pack that can dominate set piece and backs with speed on the outside. Clinton Swart at No 12, they can control the game with his kicking and be physical and direct in the midfield also.
“As a group, we did identify the Pumas’ strengths and we do respect them as a team. You can see what they did against us when we played at home in Durban. They put us under massive pressure.”
Action gets underway at Mbombela Stadium at 15h00.
