The Sharks match against Toulon will see 2014’s best European team take on the last year’s best South African team, but will it be rust versus readiness?

The men from Durban, bar a brief hit-out against Rovers last Thursday, have not seen competitive rugby in over 3 months, while their opponents, Toulon, are in the business end of their season.

There is bound to be some rustiness from the South Africans admits former Sharks prop Eduard Coetzee as he discusses what it will be like for them to face the Galácticos of rugby.

Coetzee is well versed in both countries’ rugby having spent 5 years with the Sharks before finishing off his career in France with Bayonne and finally Biarritz where he made 125 appearances.

“It is clear that for us that this meeting will be something special,” Coetzee said.

“We will assess our ability while facing the best team in the Northern Hemisphere.

“The Sharks are the best South African team at the moment and so the challenge ahead of the players will be massive.”

What is a concern for Coetzee, in terms of the spectacle, is that the Sharks will be totally out of match practice, while Toulon will be feeling very comfortable in the middle of their season.

“It is concerning that Toulon are at the heart of their season and the Sharks have yet to kick-off in Super Rugby,” he added.

“This match will be the 1st we have to played for 3 months, but we are not looking for excuses.

“The team will be competitive with 15 internationals in the 25-man squad that travelled to France.

“We left a few guys at home, especially those who are not fully recovered from injury, like Willem Alberts.

“He is recovering from a torn hamstring in preparation for the resumption of Super Rugby.”

According to Coetzee, who is now involved with the Sharks as their Sales and Marketing manager, the vibe around the camp is one of excitement as the players gear themselves up to play the 2nd-best team in the world – after the All Blacks.

“Without exaggeration, they say they are facing the best team in the world … after the All Blacks,” Coetzee continued.

“They also know that they will find some former Springboks, some of who were the best in their positions, in Toulon, and it’s not just some of the best South Africans, there are also some of the best players in the world!

“Toulon is considered a team of stars and everyone follows the results of the RCT because all the players are huge in the public eye.”

Coetzee feels the Sharks balance between experienced players and an excellent coaching staff will give them the edge is this year’s Super Rugby tournament.

“Mouritz Botha comes to us from Saracens, JP Pietersen returned from Japan recently, these guys offer a lot of experience to our group,” Coetzee said of the Sharks setup.

“They will give more confidence to the many young players that we debuted last season.

“I also believe that the contribution of our new coach Brendan Venter will be beneficial. Brendan is a great coach that propelled Saracens at the top of English rugby, he is a true leader.

“For 6 months when he was here (for the Currie Cup campaign), we could measure the impact immediately.

“We finished champions of the Currie Cup (2013), demonstrating his good qualities.

“The team relies heavily on him.”

rugby365