Veteran prop Vincent Koch is confident the Sharks are ready for a tough Investec Champions Cup clash against the Leicester Tigers in chilly England on Saturday.

The two-time Springbok world champion is no stranger to Welford Road. Having played there frequently during his successful stint with Saracens, where he won two Premiership titles and two Champions Cups, Koch knows the challenge Leicester presents.

“I’ve played in Leicester a lot in the past, and it’s not an easy stadium to travel to. They have a rich rugby history, have won the Champions Cup, and have also lifted the trophy in the English Premiership several times,” he was quoted by Netwerk24.

Koch missed the Sharks’ opening win over Exeter Chiefs last week but is ready to help his team navigate the competition despite several stars, including Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am, being unavailable.

“Our goal is to put on a performance that the Sharks fans and the players who are not here can be proud of, so we’re going to have to work hard and get the basics right. However, everyone is rested after the flight and excited,” Koch said.

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Koch played a key role in the Durbanites’ EPCR Challenge Cup triumph in London last season, and believes preparation is crucial to victory on the road.

“We analysed the key players in their group this week and did a lot of homework in our team meetings where we looked at their playing patterns and strengths,” he said.

“We had a good training session to get ourselves ready for battle.”

The Sharks have also adjusted to England’s cold weather after a lengthy journey. “We flew to Paris and then Birmingham, and there was a clear change in the weather with a temperature difference of about 30°C,” Koch added.

“It’s cold here, but luckily it’s not raining too much at the moment.”

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