It wasn’t quite the result the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV were hoping for, but it signalled a real turnabout in week three of the Carling Currie Cup campaign as they went down by the margin of a solitary conversion.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Hollywoodbets Sharks XV head coach JP Pietersen expressed ambivalent feelings on the 7-5 loss.
On one had there was the obvious disappointment that comes from a close result – particularly after the opening two weeks – and on the other, the way his young charges responded in the light of what had happened in the previous fortnight.
“While we didn’t get the result, I am immensely proud of them after two tough weeks,” he said after the game.
“They stood up against a well-coached Cheetahs team, fronting up to give the performance they did out there.”
Looking at where the game was won and lost, he identified just how brave both sides were on defence against determined attack, reflected in just two tries being scored.
“I think the game was won defensively, both teams defended well, it was just a pity we couldn’t get our continuity on attack, we did some really good things, but just couldn’t build.
“But that takes time, it’s all about cohesion. Vusi Moyo was new at 10, Marnus Potgieter, Diego Apollis were also all new; so it takes time, but I’m extremely proud of the group.”
Playing at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont wasn’t new but it was something special and Pietersen thoroughly enjoyed the day.
“The vibe was good and it was a great initiative by the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Durban Tourism to make it work. I thought it was well-run, the vibe was good and it showed the boys how privileged they are; a great way to inspire the youth.”
Building depth is vital for the franchise’s competitiveness across all competitions in the coming years, but so too, the resilience to get up after being knocked down as well as growing and learning from adversity.
“Some youngsters really stood up in this match, showing that they can play at a VURC level. Plum [John Plumtree] is looking for ‘gold’ and I think we’ve found it in this match where some youngsters put their hands up.
“That’s exactly what you want as a coach, when a young man wears a Hollywoodbets Sharks jersey with pride.
“And they didn’t just do that to the coaches, but the fans and the rugby community out there as well.”
With three tough matches behind them, the Hollywoodbets Sharks know there is no respite when they travel to Kimberley to take on Suzuki Griquas.
The form book has proven that no team can take any other for granted with a number of upsets over the weekend in round three.
With the Vodacom Blue Bulls losing at home to the Airlink Pumas (7-41), Griquas dispatching DHL Western Province 47-17 and the Fidelity ADT Lions going down 29-10 to the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers, confidence has taken a knock everywhere, although Pietersen felt that his team is on the up.
“There are a lot of positives we can take out of this game, and we now look ahead to a huge challenge in Kimberley on Friday afternoon.
“But a challenge is what this young group needs and we will fight.”