Pietersen: Hendrikse is right man for the flyhalf job

FOR many folk, Saturday’s URC derby between the Sharks and the Bulls at Kings Park is a “Dance of the Desperados”, but JP Pietersen believes both teams are better than their log position suggests.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The Sharks are 14h out of 16 teams after just one win in six games, while the Bulls are eighth, with three wins from their six fixtures, but it is their recent form that is a concern — they have lost their last four games across all competitions.

“I think the Sharks and Bulls have played some good rugby this season, even though the results don’t reflect that,” Pietersen said. “Looking at the Bulls’ last two matches (against Toulouse and Northampton), they have scored some excellent tries.

“I think both teams will see this derby as an opportunity to get better,” Pietersen continued. “We looked at the positives from last week and how we can build on them. It’s been a good week, there’s good energy in the group.”

Pietersen said Sharks-Bulls derbies never disappoint, and Saturday’s game (6pm kickoff) will be no exception.

“For me as a player, it was probably my favourite fixture and most challenging game to play.