The keys to Sharks' revival
REACTION: Sharks coach Sean Everitt believes his team is beginning to hit the right notes, as the Currie Cup heads towards the home stretch.
Their 32-29 win over the table-topping Bulls at the weekend may not have been flawless, but it had telltales of just how good the Durban outfit can be.
From a team that lost 14-41 to the Bulls in Pretoria back in October, they have recovered to retain their unbeaten record in Durban this year – by edging the Bulls in a typical South African derby.
There were not many personnel changes from Loftus (October 24) to Kings Park (this past Saturday).
The backline showed just one change – Yaw Penxe on the left wing for Werner Kok.
The forwards showed three key changes – Henco Venter as the blindside flank in place of Phendulani Buthelezi, Dylan Richardson moving from hooker to start as the openside flank in place of James Venter and Dan Jooste starting at hooker.
Then there is the perspicacious leadership Lukhanyo Am – who started his first game since recovering from the hand injury he suffered subsequent to the loss in Pretoria.
Everitt believes to soft-spoken Am is one of the keys to the puzzle in the Sharks’ revival.
“We were a bit concerned about Lukhanyo,” he said about the lack of game time coming into the Kings Park showdown and the possibility that the hand may still have been tender.
“He showed his commitment to the team and it was great to have him back.
“He’s a fine leader and he’s got a lot of respect from his mates.
“What makes his job easy now is that while he was away, we managed to grow some additional leaders.
“Curwin [Bosch], Jeremy [Ward] and Henco [Venter] took leadership roles in his absence.
“He [Am] certainly brings confidence to the team.
“I’m just happy that he was able to get through his first 60 minutes in six weeks.”
The Sharks coach also believes the return of some experienced personnel made a difference this past weekend.
“It’s good to have guys like [Sikhumbuzo] Notshe back,” Everitt said, adding: “He’s part of our leadership group as well as him captaining the team very well against the Pumas.
“Also, the return of Lukhanyo [Am]. To add a bit of experience to our squad does help.
“In saying that, we’ve actually managed to build some depth in our squad over the last six weeks.
“Even during Super Rugby unlocked we made rotational changes for some players.
“It is certainly paying off at this stage of the Currie Cup.
“Guys like Phepsi [Buthelezi] got a lot of game time.
“They came on [as second-half replacements] and made a difference.
“A guy like JJ van der Mescht came off the bench and made a difference.
“They are trying to reach peak performance at the right time.”
He also spoke about the decision to play Richardson on the flank, after he featured at hooker in the previous encounter with the Bulls.
“We worked hard at our breakdowns,” the coach said, adding: “It’s something that we said that we would do.
“Dylan was in this game. His effort, week in and week out, has to be commended.
“He’s playing some really good rugby at the moment. His contributions in the game from a tackling point of view as well as his ball carries have been really up there with the best.”
He said the 21-year-old has great composure and his decision-making at the breakdown is getting better.
There is also some concern over Springbok prop Thomas du Toit, who left the field with an undisclosed injury.
“We don’t know how serious this one is,” Everitt said of the prop who has already missed a chunk of the season with a calf injury and only recently returned.
“No one wants to lose their Springbok tighthead at this stage of the competition.
“We are going into three hard games in a row now – with the Lions and the Cheetahs away.
“That’s a massive challenge to us.”
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