Sharks expecting tough encounter against physical Bordeaux: 'They're big boys'

Even though they will have several rested Springboks to call on for their Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux, the Sharks expect a tough encounter against the "physical" French side. 

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Speaking to the Sharks website, prop Thomas du Toit says the home side knows what to expect, seeing that they already played the French team away. 

 "The typical things we know about the French are true: they're big boys, they're physical, and they get the crowd behind them that really lifts them up and gives them energy," said Du Toit, who hopes the Kings Park faithful can have the same effect for the Sharks.  

"It's something we took from that game. It's important that we too take confidence from playing at home, we take pride playing here, and we hope to make our stadium a fortress."

As usual, the scrum battle will be intense, and it's an area where the Sharks want to impress, Du Toit says.  

"We haven't changed anything for this game. The scrum is set in stone – to just get better at it – and we won't change much from our general plan, which is to be dominant."

While they are unbeaten in the Champions Cup this season, Du Toit says the Sharks want to ensure that they "get the job done" in qualifying for the knock-out stages of the competition.  "The pressure is always on to get the job done, and there is a certain expectation that needs to be met," the Springbok front-ranker said. 

"For those of us that were rested, it's all good and well to get a break after performing well but then returning and not performing, there's no point in that.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:15.