Tendai & Beast & # 39; Mtawarira ready for the 150th Super Rugby match against the Crusaders

"The Beast is like a mine, he is silent, but when he speaks he is a big explosion" Botha joked after his first training Wednesday Christchurch

"He is a great source of inspiration for this team, because he is on our side with his professionalism and the way he approaches the match. "

New Zimbabwean Mtawarira made his debut for the Sharks. 2007 and has been a success since then with its powerful ball porting, rugged scrumpaging and uncompromising behavior.

Testing himself against the front row Crusaders has always been a measuring stick, he said.

I have enormous respect for a guy like Owen Franks, we've been in the head for a long time.

"I think [former Crusader and All Blacks prop] Greg Somerville, he taught me some lessons when I started playing for the Boks …"

The Sharks realize that they have nothing to lose against a group of Crusaders that many have crowned as Super Rugby champions on hold

They arrived late in Christchurch on Monday night after three flights and a trip of over 13,000 kilometers. The campaign was uneven for the Sharks, who snuck into the finals with a record of seven wins and one draw.

Although the hazards of the Super Rugby schedule mean that they have not faced the Crusaders since 2016, The Sharks have a decent record against the kiwi opposition this year.

South African teams have traditionally struggled against New Zealand, but the Sharks beat the Blues 63-40 at Eden Park in March. The Hurricanes needed a late try by Ngani Laumape and a winning conversion from Ihaia West to impose 38-37 on Napier.

They also overthrew the Highlanders (38-12) and the Underpowered Chiefs (28-24)

"I think we showed signs of greatness on this side, but obviously we let ourselves go down at particular times of the season," said Mtawarira

"I think our team is growing, I think that this weekend is the opportunity to show what we are capable of. "

Mtawarira is one of the few survivors of the last Sharks team to have surprised the Crusaders at the AMI stadium in 2014.

Playing with 14 men for most of the competition after Jean Deysel was ejected The 17th minute for a stamp on Jordan Taufua's face, the Sharks held on the 30-25.

They were late at 13 in the game with casual striker Willem Alberts also in the trash.

I think we really fought as a team and we did not stop believing. "

Message of Mtawarira to the Young Sharks is a single for Saturday.

"Chances like that do not come too often .. you must embrace the challenge.

"Yes, we're playing against the best team in the competition, but if you play your best performance, we'll see what happens."

– Stuff