Sharks have plan for Cloete

Sharks lock Stephan Lewies believes they need to nullify the threat of Kings flank Chris Cloete ahead of their clash on Saturday.

Cloete has caught the eye with his ability to win turnovers for the Kings this season. Not only that but he also protects the ball well by assuming a good body position at the breakdown allowing for quick ball for the Kings' backline players.

Pundits have even started comparing him with former Springbok and Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brussow as he continues to be a prominent factor in the Kings' much-lauded improvement this season.

And Lewies sees the breakdown area as a key facet of play in the build-up to the encounter at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth while praising his team's recent turnaround in form.

“After the Rebels game we spoke about improving every game, and we did that against the Jaguares and the Western Force, and on Saturday we will seek to dominate once more,” the 24-year-old told Supersport.

“We will especially be looking at improving the breakdowns, where we know they have players who are excellent at winning ball on the ground.”

Referring specifically to Cloete, Lewies said: “We know Chris well and we know he is very good at effecting turn-overs. He gets in very low over the ball and he is definitely a threat and we want to take him out of the game. We have a plan for him.”

Meanwhile, the second-row, who has been capped once by the Springboks, believes that coach Robert Du Preez's rotation policy among his locks is creating healthy competition and improving performance. Du Preez has rotated Ettiene Oosthuizen, Ruan Botha and Lewies this season which has the kept the men in the second row on their toes.

“There are three of us and we know that each week the coach is watching us closely, and one match you are in and the next you are on the bench, depending on how you perform," said Lewies.

"So when you do start you have to pull finger because you know the other guys want your spot.

“It is the same at hooker, where Franco Marais was first choice and now Chiliboy Ralepelle is preferred.”