Sharks players 'wanted to right the wrongs'
CURRIE CUP SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said he was pleased with his team’s resilience under pressure after a much-needed 47-19 victory over Griquas in Round Six of the Currie Cup.
The Sharks headed into Saturday’s match on the back of away defeats to the Lions (12-27) and the Cheetahs (10-37), which put their play-off hopes at risk.
However, the five points they gained from the win over Griquas coupled with the Cheetahs’ narrow defeat to Western Province meant that the Sharks have secured their spot in the semifinals.
“It’s a special bunch of guys, they’re really close and there’s a good brotherhood within this group,” said Everitt. “They wanted to right the wrongs of the previous two weeks and while it wasn’t an easy week for them with all the interruptions, they must be commended on their character.
“They go out and try their best every week. I know sometimes things don’t go their way and they don’t get the results.
“Although you can’t win every game you play in sport, adversity is all part of the growth process and I must commend them for the way they stood up to the pressure to get a bonus point.”
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Everitt was particularly pleased with the way his forwards bounced back against Griquas.
“The forwards really dominated the Griquas. I thought there were some great performances from certain individuals in the team.
“Henco Venter was a standout playing at six for the first time this season with Thembelani Bholi not far behind as well as Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
“I thought JJ van der Mescht played really, really well and hats off to Michael Kumberai, after getting a lot of criticism and the tight five battling, they managed to put together a good performance.
“It was really pleasing for them because they wanted to bounce back and they’ve worked exceptionally hard in trying to rectify the errors.”
The Sharks will face Western Province in their final round clash in Cape Town on Saturday.
