Kyle Steyn believes that the artificial playing surface at Scotstoun could be the key to success for Glasgow Warriors as they look to kick-start their season United Rugby Championship against South African franchise the Sharks on Saturday afternoon. 

“I don’t think any of them have played on a 4G pitch before and certainly not in this kind of weather,” said the 27-year-old, who is well placed to assess the shock to the senses facing the Sharks this weekend having made the switch from South Africa to Scotland himself in 2019.  

“It’s something we’ve mentioned,” he added. “Certainly, coming over from South Africa, the first time you get out on it [the Scotstoun pitch], it is something completely different. The bounce of the ball is definitely a wee bit harder. 

“I think it’ll be refreshing in terms of the style of game they’ll try to play, and we’ll try to match that, but I just can’t wait to see how they cope out there in front of a full-house at Scotstoun.” 

Both sides came up short on the opening weekend of this league campaign, with the Sharks went down 42-17 at Munster on Saturday, while the Warriors picking up a four-try bonus point but emerged on the wrong side of a 42-29 score-line against Ulster in Belfast on Friday evening. 

“It was frustrating,” said Steyn, who missed Warriors’ two pre-season matches with a minor injury. “Obviously, the result didn’t go our way and it was my first game of the season and I felt a wee bit rusty. Cole Forbes getting a yellow card in the third minute didn’t help the lungs adjusting!  

“But it was really good to be in front of a live crowd. It was the first time I’d been to the Kingspan Stadium and it just made me even more excited to have our fans back here at Scotstoun this weekend.” 

“I missed pre-season when I first came over and then we had the pandemic, so this is the first one I’ve had since I’ve been in Scotland,” he added. “It was nice to refresh after the last 18 months where things have been strict through Covid. So, I’m feeling good to go now, which is exciting.”