Defeating the Sigma Lions at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday and in doing so, winning their third successful game in the Carling Currie Cup, propelled the Cell C Sharks to the top of the log.
Together with Toyota Free State, the Cell C Sharks are the only unbeaten side in the tournament and an extra bonus point keeps them one point clear at the top of the Currie Cup table with their next fixture scheduled for Friday 4 March against the Airlink Pumas at Mbombela Stadium
Commenting on his side’s 43-31 victory over the Lions, Head coach Etienne Fynn was satisfied with the outcome, scoring five tries and earning the bonus point win away from home on the highveld, but did acknowledge that discipline was an area to look at, particularly as it allowed the home side back into the game when they scored 12 points in the final 10 minutes.
“Three yellow cards is indicative of a controllable, all of them were controllable so that aspect is something we have to address,” Fynn said afterwards.
“Having said that, when we did get it right, we had some constructive and attractive rugby played out there.”
It was an exciting game and both teams showed their attacking intent from the start and never let up until the final whistle.
Although the Lions struck first blood in the 8th minute, when the Cell C Sharks equalised three minutes later, it was the last time the home side would enjoy a lead over their Durban counterparts. Good game management and taking points when they were on offer kept the Cell C Sharks in front and with a 20-7 half-time lead and scoring regularly throughout, not even a late fight-back from the home side was enough to contain the Durban side.
As far as work-ons go, captain James Venter felt that after three wins, they will focus on the areas they have been successful at in the competition to date and look to continue that.
“Going forward for us, when we stuck to our game plan and structure, we really executed well.” he said. “We have a really good squad, so we are backing the boys, backing the decisions they’re making.
“We know what we’re good at and will keep doing that.”
Fynn added that, “The reality is you get a picture of what’s happening in the game as a coach or observer, but the players on the field get a tangible feel and they will know what will work and what won’t. It’s up to them to consistently probe and nail those weaknesses in the opposition.
“So for us, the work-ons are to not stray away from what works and get better at what does.”