For Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach JP Pietersen, the bonus point victory over the DHL Stormers in their return leg Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park was especially memorable.
He paid tribute to the team’s fight, the effort off the bench, and the way they contested in every area of the game.
“The fighting spirit is there, we just need to work on starting better,” were his initial thoughts after the game.
“Credit to them, they put us under early pressure and caught us a bit off-guard. When I took over, I asked the boys to show fighting spirit, not by talking but by doing.
“Andre Esterhuizen’s leadership helps massively, but the win itself is massive credit to the whole group.”
Pietersen also identified the set-piece as an important part of the game – and the result his team were able to secure from there.
“Scrums and lineouts are two of the most important things in the game, it’s a real contest, one we sometimes won and sometimes didn’t. The DHL Stormers have a good pack, but I must give credit to the boys for sticking to the process. The scrum is an eight-man team effort and the boys played within the system.
“Ultimately the game is won between the two 22s, and our pack gave us the go-forward ball. We were direct and we were aggressive which we converted into points which was important.
“I think what stands out most is when we got into their 22, we converted that territory and possession into points.”
Discipline was another area Pietersen highlighted, explaining that, “We gave them some soft penalties in Cape Town and that gave them entries into our 22, but we were good with scrum penalties this week, we also got a few lineout penalties because of our contesting.”
He also spoke of the kicking game and the gains the team won with aerial battle dominance.
“The kicking off 9 – Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse – was outstanding, and Edwill van der Merwe was good, winning ball back for us, we missed him the previous weekend. Jaco Williams too on the other side was very good.”
Enjoying a strong lead fighting for the South African Shield, Pietersen warned that there is still a lot to play for, and none of it easy.
“If you look at our next two games, we play the Lions and Vodacom Bulls, both away from home, so we’ll take a break, then reset for what’s coming.”
On a personal note, having come the full circle as a player who started his career with the Hollywoodbets Sharks and now coaching the side, he admitted that, “It’s really special. I see our groundsman MJ every day, but to have him smiling and jumping on me after this win, to see him so happy just makes my day.
“And everyone who works here at the union, what this win means to them all. The players understand this too.”