The Currie Cup serves as a prime opportunity for Vowles and his staff to foster young talent and deepen their squad depth in Durban, while the URC team preps for the upcoming season. The Cheetahs, on the other hand, are leveraging their full strength in pursuit of another title, following a strong performance in the SA Cup and the Toyota Challenge.
"They're quite a settled team. They've built some really good cohesion. So we know they'll come at us in the structured parts of the game and at set-piece."
Vowles emphasized the Sharks' game plan revolves around speed and agility to outmaneuver the Cheetahs.
"Our conversations have been more about what we can control and how we want to play. We want to impose our game model and our DNA on them. We want to play with a high tempo, create transition opportunities and really move them around. We feel that might give us an edge."
The Sharks demonstrated their resilience and strategic prowess in their last match, where they maintained possession for 26 phases in the decisive final play against the Pumas. Vowles praised the team's ability to handle pressure and use it to their advantage.
"For me, that was probably the most pleasing part of the game. We did some really good things in the first 50 minutes to set ourselves up. But those last eight or nine minutes were an unbelievable test of character and composure."
The coach noted that the challenging moments in tight games are crucial for building a winning team ethos. These are the moments that truly test and consequently strengthen a team's character and resolve.
As the Sharks prepare to face the Cheetahs, their success will depend not only on their strategic play but also on their ability to maintain composure under pressure, qualities they demonstrated profoundly in their season opener. The upcoming game promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the tactical acumen and resilience of both teams.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
