SA Rugby magazine

South African rugby news, interviews, videos and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER
You are here: Home ∼ Sharks loss a ‘learning curve’

Sharks loss a ‘learning curve’

Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am Lukhanyo Am
Published on March 6, 2019 | Leave a response

Assistant coach Braam van Straaten says the Sharks’ discipline and game management will have to improve ahead of the clash with the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday.

The Sharks are coming off their first loss of the season against the Stormers in Durban last weekend after claiming bonus-point wins in their opening fixtures against the Sunwolves and Blues.

The hosts were let down by some poor discipline, as they lost both hooker Akker van der Merwe and centre Lukhanyo Am to yellow cards in the first half last weekend, while they struggled to deal with the Stormers’ kicking game and physical defence.

The Sharks next travel to Pretoria to face a Bulls team that have won both of their South African derbies against the Stormers and Lions this year.

Reflecting on the loss against the Stormers, Van Straaten says the Sharks’ cannot afford to make the same errors against the Bulls.

‘Our discipline wasn’t good enough. We had two yellow cards in the first half, and that put us under pressure because now you’re defending with 14 men for 20 minutes. Although we played well in the second half, we just didn’t get the reward. There was a definite step-up in energy, the replacements had a big impact.

‘It was a big learning curve for everybody,’ he added. ‘You need to be able to handle the pressure better, and I think our game management needs to be better. We still want to go out there and play attacking rugby, but we have to be accurate in the way we go about it.’

With the Bulls boasting a pack that includes the likes of in-form hooker Schalk Brits, No 8 Duane Vermeulen and abrasive lock Jason Jenkins, Van Straaten is anticipating a physical encounter.

‘The Bulls are a good side, we need to be on our game to put them under pressure, and hopefully we will do that for long periods in the game.  It comes down to decision-making, there’s a lot more to it than just playing.

‘They have played well, let’s give them the credit they’re due. But we know what we can do and what we can bring to the party, and we know it’s going to be a huge, physical battle. But it’s not only about being physical, we need to be smart as well.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Posted in Sharks, Super Rugby, Top headlines Tagged Braam van Straaten, Bulls, sharks, Super Rugby

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

Check out Blackout Rugby Manager HERE!

← Previous Next →

Sevens’ party falls flat

World Rugby shouldn’t have messed with a winning sevens formula, writes SIMON...

Draining format clogs Blitzboks’ blockage

A protracted schedule took the wind out of South Africa's sails at...

England cut Eddie, Razor to stop the bleeding

England have made the rash decision to part ways with coach Eddie...

Rassie ref hom in die rooi

Rassie Erasmus is hardly the embarrassment that some are making him out...

Cut and paste Kurt-Lee for Kolbe

Kurt-Lee Arendse ticks all the right boxes to replace the injured Cheslin...

Rassie auditions for England job

Rassie Erasmus has made the most calculated of public job applications to...

Boks need to make mentality adjustment

The Springboks need to lose their underdog mentality, writes SIMNIKIWE XABANISA in...

Kolbe’s worth every penny

Cheslin Kolbe’s big-money move to Toulon should be welcomed as a massive...

‘Bok gameplan, when executed correctly, is hard to match’

The opportunity to play against the All Blacks is a career highlight...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Bonus-point Bulls douse Dragons
  • Munster maul luckless Lions
  • Stormers sign off 2022 in style
  • Sharks carve Bulls on New Year’s Eve

Jacques Burger’s Perfect XV

    BKT United Rugby Championship, Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland 8/1/2023 Glasgow Warriors vs DHL Stormers Stormers' Damian Willemse Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Craig Watson
  • Highlights: Heartbreak for Stormers in Glasgow thriller

###


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

African Insider
African Insider News

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup
    • Challenge Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
    • Beauty and Spa Deals
  • BLACKOUT RUGBY MANAGER