The Cell C Sharks’ 43-33 Vodacom United Rugby Championship bonus point victory over visiting Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening ensured that the Durbanites remain in contention for the knock-outs.
With two pool matches remaining going into last weekend’s fixtures, and given the congestion on the log and fight for a top eight finish, it was crucial that the Cell C Sharks emerge victorious.
The game couldn’t have started on a more devastating note after conceding two early tries to go 14-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes. But key to the team’s fightback and ultimate success in the game was not panicking.
“It wasn’t a great start, and that immediately puts you on the back foot,” explained Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell afterwards. “But the guys showed good composure to pull it back.
“It was a game in which we made it extremely difficult for ourselves,” he added. “Had we been more clinical and done the basics well, with fewer soft moments, we would have got through the game a little easier.
“I’m not sure if ‘happy’ describes how I’m feeling after the game, there was a lot of frustration, but I am happy with the five points. I think I have a lot more grey hairs after this game! The goal was to take five points from this game and we got that, so we put this behind us, move on and make sure we are ready for next weekend.”
Powell admitted that preparations for this match were all about weighing up time on the training field and cohesion, versus energy in this game, explaining that, “I think we got the balance right, but not quite the cohesion we were looking for.
“It was a short week, a difficult one and a delicate balancing act between the amount of preparation we could do in the time available, how much training we would do with the need to conserve energy for this game. The guys put all their energy into that Toulouse game and the trip there, unfortunately we didn’t get the result there, returned on Monday and then played on Friday, so it was a really short turnaround period.
“Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough cohesion and synergy.”
Job done, now Munster return to Hollywoodbets Kings Park, having lost in Durban recently in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 clash. The Cell C Sharks are now settled in Durban – no international travel or short week to hamper their preparations – and will use the time wisely.
“It will be a tricky one because they will have learned from that last game against us. But the beauty is that it is in our hands: what we want from the game and how we approach it. Hopefully we have a good week’s preparation and have a better performance than against Benetton.”
On the injury front, Powell confirmed that there were no major concerns.
“Hyron Andrews came off for an HIA test that he failed and probably won’t be available for the Munster game, but everyone else should be fine. Sadly, Eben Etzebeth won’t be available for 14-16 weeks, that’s basically his season for the Cell C Sharks.”