Building an academy and depth key to Sharks future

The Sharks have backed an extremely young and inexperienced team for this year's Currie Cup, which has led to chastening opening defeats in the competition, 46-5 against the Lions and 64-0 against the Bulls on the Highveld.

- Ross Roche

It was an unfortunate draw that saw the young guns having to take on the two Highveld giants, who have gone with a different player strategy for the oldest club competition in SA Rugby, with both backing fringe players with plenty of URC experience for their campaigns.

But throwing these youngsters into the deep end, while giving their senior players a proper break ahead of the coming URC and EPCR campaigns is exactly what the Sharks have decided is best, and it will thus be a baptism of fire for them over the rest of the Currie Cup.