Saracens Pair Admit Sharks Will Pose Massive Challenge
Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall and player Andy Onyeama-Christie expressed their admiration for the Sharks, noting that despite the team’s difficult start, they still expected a major challenge from a strong, quality side.
Aware of their capabilities following a stunning 47-10 victory over Clermont in London, Onyeama-Christie said the Saracens squad was excited and eager for a different challenge.
The English giants, who are stacked with England internationals, will face a Springbok-loaded Sharks side in the Investec Champions Cup at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday at 17:15.
Several Saracens players faced the Springboks while representing England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and again in the 2023 semi-finals, including lock Maro Itoje and flyhalf Owen Farrell.
“We won’t be too overwhelmed by the names on the team sheet. They are a brilliant team, but we want to rise to the challenge, and generally it feels like the group is excited,” Onyeama-Christie said.
The Sharks, on the other hand, gave a youthful and inexperienced side a run-out against European giants Toulouse and came up short, losing 56-19 despite showing immense grit and pride.
For Saracens, the prospect of playing in Durban is not something new, as they forged a strong relationship with the Durban-based side in the off-season.
“We came to Durban at the end of August for a pre-season friendly – their coaches were really open with us in terms of how they do things – it was a great exercise for the young coaches,” McCall said.
The game against Toulouse signalled the end of an era under John Plumtree, with former Springbok winger JP Pietersen taking over the helm.
“I have huge respect for John Plumtree – we met him and JP, which was a huge privilege for us.”
The Sharks have had many of their Springboks unavailable following the end-of-year tour, and with those players available again, McCall spoke to the potential of the group.
“Although they’ve had a difficult start, this is a proper team. You have as talented a group as anyone in Europe, and you know they are going to improve – aside from Eben and an injury here or there, they have everyone else available. We’ll face them at their best,” McCall.
McCall highlighted his immense appreciation for the contribution of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, one of the key Sharks players returning to the fold on Saturday.
“It’s remarkable, isn’t it – he led his country to two World Cups – he has 100 caps – he gives everything he has got for whichever team he plays for – we’ll find that out this weekend,” he said.
