The Hollywoodbets Sharks will go into the Christmas break riding a wave of confidence following back-to-back home victories over Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup and a 21-12 Vodacom United Rugby Championship defeat of the Vodacom Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday.
For head coach JP Pietersen, this one was special and he gave due credit to the way the reserves came on to play such a vital role in the outcome of the game.
“I think the bench made an impact, when they came on you could see the energy they brought,” he said after the match. “I must give a massive shout-out to Jaden Hendrikse, there were four or five big moments he made, and that changed the game.”
9-7 down at half-time was never panic-stations, but the game hung in the balance and with the Vodacom Bulls’ scrum in good form, anything could have happened in the second half.
“Looking at the stats, the Bulls dominated territory and possession in the first half, so the plan was to kick behind them and make them exit, and we got good reward from that. Grant kicked well, Edwill contested well and we won territory.
“The lineout contesting was also good and that transferred pressure.”
Four penalties against three tries was all the visitors could produce and Pietersen also had words of praise for his fellow coaches.
“Massive credit to Joey Mangalo, they didn’t score one try. Defensively we were good, even through we were under pressure.
“We spoke to the group during the week, we want to bring back pride in the badge, we want to make the community and fans proud and I think a performance like that shows how much we care. The boys played right to the end and found a way in the last 15 to 20 minutes to get over the line.”
And what a crowd there was!
“Credit to the organisation for making Sharksfest happen, we had to do our job out on the field. It felt like a test match, the crowd was there, it felt like a real jol.
“And having them walk around the field afterwards and the crowd still cheering for them. It was special.
“It means a lot to everyone, the guys who have been here a long time, the new guys experiencing this. It will sit well in their hearts and they will realise that Durban is a special place.
“We know we can build on that.”