SP Marais struggline with form, and some were calling for him as the backup Bok fullback

Marais struggling with form12 August 2014, 17:15

Sharks fullback SP Marais admits he is suffering a dip in form, attributing it to a loss of confidence that came as a consequence of losing his place in the team during the Super Rugby season.

The 25-year-old was omitted by director of rugby Jake White during March as Springbok winger Lwazi Mvovo was favoured at number 15 instead.

"I think I'm going through a bit of a dip or have been going through a bit of a dip," Marais said on Tuesday.

"I won't say I'm satisfied with the way I'm playing.

"I know what I'm doing wrong. They are things that I can sort out myself and I'm focusing on improving that so that I can get back to top form."

Marais did regain his place during the Sharks' successful tour to Australia and New Zealand, eventually playing in all 18 off their games, six of those off the bench.

But he admits he is still suffering.

"That [losing my place] is a bit of a factor because every rugby player thrives on their confidence," he said.

"And I think my confidence took a big knock after that. So it's just rebuilding my confidence now and having the ability to play with the guys next to me."

Asked what he was doing wrong, the former Eastern Province back added: "I feel I was quite balanced in Super Rugby, knowing when to kick, knowing when to counter and it's just that I've moved away from being balanced.

"Sometimes I do things well and then sometimes I make silly mistakes. It's just about going back to basics and doing what I do well. That's what I'm concentrating on."

The Sharks face the Pumas in their first home game of this season's Currie Cup in Durban on Friday.

They made a good start to the campaign by edging out Griquas 31-24 in Kimberley on Saturday, a victory that was welcomed by Marais.

"The most important thing was that we started with a win. Whether we won by two points or five points it didn't matter," he said.

"We're a very young group and everybody is very enthusiastic and excited.

"We've only been together for one week really, so winning was the only objective for the opening weekend. A win is a win, even if it's dirty."

The defending champions will come up against a Pumas side buoyed by their 28-21 upset win over the Cheetahs at the weekend.

Marais insisted they would not be taking the Mpumalanga outfit lightly ahead of their Kings Park showdown.

"In the Currie Cup, I wouldn't say there's any team less strong than the other," he said. "I think it's equal grounding because there are no Springboks, so that's not a factor.

"I think it's the team that arrives on the day and wants it more that's going to get the win."

A decent player but is never going to set the world alight at Super XV level, and no way in hell at test level Bok fullback. 
He lacks pace and x-factor, the outside backs of New Zealand and Australia will play the fool with him.
Mvovo would have stayed at 15 if he had a decent boot on him.  SP can consider himself lucky that his kicking from the back is decent, otherwise he would have spent more time getting splinters. 
He will probably find himself on eBay sooner rather than later. The Sharks need a player with x-factor from the back. How long is Willie Leroux's contract with the Cheetas? 

Look SB the same could be said of Lambie and Jordaan. The same could be said of Mvovo  of the many chances. Reinach is a different case, he is a brilliant runner...but no tactician, reader of the fiield, tactical kicker.
Huge hype about all these young Sharks players...but not one will be a Bok regular.  

 SP has been mostly good this year at times excellent - one would swear that given your take on him as a Bok back up that somehow current players involved with the boks like jp,  fourie, morne, pienaar, steenkamp, jannie, bakkies,  Victor And alberts were in great form and merited inclusions in the side. Your argument sharktwat is as weak as ever but well tried

Saff-idiot, 

At least JP, Fourie, Steenkamp, Victor have been world class players. Better a Springbok legend past their prime than someone never of international standard. 
JP was in poor form for the Sharks, and never made use of the little opportunity he got. He did play pretty well for the Boks though, and he has a long history as a starting player. 
Matfield won many man of the match performances and earned the praise of pundits, ex players etc across the world. It is surprising that he is still playing well, but he is. His lineout and kick off takes are facts.
No point blooding a new player that is just going to be replaced when someone that has the potential to be a great will pop up soon enough.
When was SP Marais great, in your dreams?

Mozart Lambie is lucky to be in the Bok squad. If SA had the type of depth at flyhalf as what was in certain positions, then Lambie would not be in the squad.  He is riding his luck from the fact that South Africa struggles to produce depth at quality flyhalfs. 
Jordaan is a fringe player at best, and he is unlikely to get capped unless he can improve allot. 

 Agree all your points SB. I particularly liked your conclusion that a legend, even past his prime, is better than a never been.

Mozart  - Your Mindless.
The big zero in the Sharks backline was the backline saboteur Francois Steyn = not players like Jordaan and Marais.   This was proven again by the great performance of the Sharks backline on Saturday.  
I saw much promise by Marais last year when he played for the Kings on Super 15 level.  However, he performed well in a team with minimal resources - but with at least a reasonable backline performance level.
The Sharks backline this year malfunctioned and so did Marais - because of one factor - the presence of Francois Steyn in their backline.   The moment the Steyn factor was out of the way - the backline improved by 100%.   
Jordaan showed his real worth - and Mozart ignored that and went on his standard mad campaign against the said player.
However, this item is about Marais - not Jordaan.  I am myself disappointed about Marais - he did not live up to the promise he showed when playing for the Kings - but then it must be remembered he was part of a malfunctioning Sharks backline this year.

 SP MArias is your best fullback, potentially a world beater, I rate him even higher then overrated Le Roux, who I am going to put in my fantasy team, because he is a good fantasy scorer lol.

Aplon is a much better 15 than SP Marais. Lambie is better at 15 than at 10.Even an inform Taute is probably better at 15 than SP
Even Zane Kirchner offers more than SP Marais. 
Mvovo was preferred at the Sharks as at least he is a dangerman when running back, than the jog in the park SP