Hollywoodbets Sharks’ flank Vincent Tshituka said that the much-needed break in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship gave them an opportunity to regroup before the fixture against Connacht in Galway on Saturday at 21:45 (SA Time).
With a host of Springboks away on national duty for the Autumn International window, and their final game of the month-long campaign taking in a clash with Wales this weekend, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will have to make do without some of their test match players for this weekend’s clash with Connacht, however, Grant Williams and Edwill van der Merwe was released by the Springboks for the weekend.
“It’s been really good to have a bit of time off and actually prepare properly for this challenge against Connacht. The guys have put in a lot of hard work to fix the errors from the beginning of the season, and there’s been a really positive vibe going into this game.”
“The past few weeks have been about connecting as a team. It’s been a really tough start, not what we foresaw or wanted, and the only way to bounce back is to pull together and put in the work. That’s exactly what we’ve done, and we hope to reap the rewards.”
“Connecting on the field and off the field has been massive. We’ve invested more time in that, and the guys are in a good space. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
Connach hold sway in the success stakes, having won three of the four clashes between the two sides, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks winning the 2022 match 41-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Since then, the teams have met twice at Dexcom Stadium, Connacht’s home ground since 1927, with the home team taking the spoils on both occasions.
Connacht’s also had a poor start to the season, winning only one of their four fixtures; however, Tshituka expects a fierce battle.
“We all know Connacht are a quality side and extremely tough to beat away from home,” he said. “They haven’t started the season the way they wanted, but that just gives them more motivation. We know exactly what we’re facing.”
“We’ve put in the preparation, we’ve got a solid plan, and as a team we’re excited for the challenge.”