Sharks face tough task in quest for revenge against Lyon
The Sharks face an uphill battle against Lyon, who knocked them out of the Challenge Cup two seasons ago.
The Sharks are set to face Lyon in the Challenge Cup this Saturday, aiming to make up for a disappointing previous encounter. DP Pietersen's first full season as coach has seen the Durban union rise to fifth in the United Rugby Championship table, winning two of their opening three games with bonus points. However, the Sharks experienced a setback in the following season's Challenge Cup when they were eliminated at the last 16 stage, losing 34-21 to a Springbok-depleted opposition team.
The team has opted to leave its Springboks out for their upcoming Pool 2 match against Lyon at Stade de Gerland, also known as Matmut Stadium. The Sharks are focusing on improving their defense and scrum, as they lost their scrum to the Stormers in a recent URC derby. They will rely on rising stars, fringe players, and a few remaining Springboks to avenge their previous loss to Lyon.
The Sharks will need to enhance their scrummaging and defense, as they were outmatched by the Stormers in their recent game, conceding six tries. Despite Lyon's losing streak in the Top 14, the Sharks will avoid overconfidence and adapt to any changes during the match.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.