The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ bonus point Vodacom United Rugby Championship defeat of the previously unbeaten DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday was very much about the character in the team.
Summing up the result, head coach JP Pietersen explained afterwards that, “The plan we set was executed, and when it wasn’t, the boys showed fight and scrambled to get the ball back, so credit to them for staying in the fight.
“What was key was having a fast start and putting them under pressure from the start, and to see how they responded. They did well, we scored first and then they scored, it was a good contest all-round, but I think we took our opportunities better, they had unforced errors when they got into our 22, so they’ll be kicking themselves because they did create opportunities but couldn’t finish.”
Commentating on the team’s grit on defence, as well as the focus to create positive outcomes, Pietersen explained that the game is all about creating pressure and turning that into points.
“I think the DHL Stormers would be frustrated at having created opportunities and not taken them, while we created opportunities in their 22, they got two yellow cards and we scored, coming away with points.
“I think that was the difference on the day, one team converted, the other didn’t.”
Pietersen added that he is a proud man at how the team is responding to his coaching style and messages, and how they are playing on instinct to create danger.
“As a coach, you want to see the boys express themselves and they did. I think there was more ‘doing’ than thinking and you have to give credit to the players, there are some experienced Springboks, then you have the likes of Nick Hatton and Phatu Ganyane, young guys who really played hard who challenged themselves.
“There’s a lot of character in this group and Andre Esterhuizen is leading well, he challenged the group and you can see, when he plays well, the team plays well and I love the way he carries the team.”
Pietersen alluded to a number of factors that have been responsible for the turnaround in his team’s fortunes, with Esterhuizen’s elevation to the captaincy as one of the primary drivers.
“Andre is an old Hollywoodbets Sharks boy and he knows Durban in and out. I also gave the group the goal of qualifying for the VURC play-offs, put in a good leadership group and that includes [lock] Emile van Heerden who was massive in the game.
“There are other things, like keeping the plan simple, be aligned with Andre and to express themselves on the field, while I take responsibility off the field.
“The important thing is to give them clarity about what we want from them, and cohesion. The group has been playing together for this whole month, we’ve had rotation in the squad so everyone has had a chance to play.
“Andre has been massive in challenging the okes, as a team, we want the fans to see that we care and that you want to fight to make the jersey proud.
“That was what my first speech was all about.”