Speaking after his team’s loss to the Vodacom Bulls, head coach JP Pietersen admitted that building cohesion has been one of the biggest challenges he has faced with player availability not always possible.
While the loss hurt, it was a clarion call that there are certain factors the team need to focus on to get better, to withstand adversity.
“Our away record shows we’ve won just once away from home, which is not good and something we’ve identified,” he admitted.
“We’ve faced disruptions with Springbok rest periods, players coming in and out of the team during a six to eight week period, and it’s hard to build cohesion when you’re resting seven okes. Emile van Heerden also pulled out late in the week which added to the disruption.
“But that doesn’t give us an excuse, the guys who step in need to take their opportunities.”
His team had a good start in the second half and there were signs of a team fighting back, but the home side came back strongly to settle the deal.
“We started well in the second half – I’m not sure why that wasn’t the case in the first half – we were good for 15 minutes of that second half and then the Vodacom Bulls scored two quick tries and that’s something we need to work on. We have to eliminate another try after conceding one.
“It’s something we’ve identified and we need to address it and how we can get better. The boys did show fight and courage in the second half, but if you’re 22 points down, it’s hard to fight back.
“I played the game for a long time, and it’s whether you’re going to stand up or lie down [in the face of adversity]. Something I identified when I took the job, and am still working on, but it will take time.
“All these challenges are good for our young group and for the inexperienced players to learn.”
Further bad news was the loss of Jaden Hendrikse who left the field injured, although Pietersen confirmed that it was no more than a concussion with regulation return to play protocols to be followed.
“When he left the field, the Vodacom Bulls got on top of us, he’s massive for our game, his control, his kicking game, his understanding, his organising, he’s huge,” Pietersen admitted
For Pietersen, the last two games have been frustrating, but they have given him plenty of learnings.
“The inconsistency in the group performance-wise has pointed out to me, as the coach, who is good enough to kick on and who won’t, because you can’t depend on Springboks all the time.
“We will have our Boks back for the Munster game [on 21 March at Hollywoodbets Kings Park], but we’ve lost Aphelele Fassi, Jaden and Jaco Williams, we also have some of our forwards out – Manu Tshituka, Nick Hatton, Emile van Heerden – all starting lineup guys we are missing.”