Sharks finally show killer instinct as finishing touch clicks
REACTION: Putting teams away has long been an area the Sharks have spoken about, but too rarely delivered on.
Against Clermont, that shift was unmistakable.
After building a platform through tempo and accuracy, the pressure told as penalties flowed, and space began to open.
The Sharks were no longer content to simply be in control of the contest; they wanted to turn dominance into damage, stretching the scoreline and leaving no doubt about the outcome.
According to Sharks coach JP Pietersen, the real growth came late in the game. Where previous performances had seen opponents linger with a sniff of hope, this time the Sharks showed a cutting edge, finishing with intent and precision in the final quarter.
That ruthlessness in the closing stages – turning opportunities into points rather than just territory – marked a significant step forward, and one they will be eager to replicate as they look to assert themselves consistently at the top level.
“What was really good to see today is that we put a team away. That’s something we’ve struggled with in the past – finishing off games. Today, in the last 10 or 15 minutes, we were ruthless, and that’s something we want to keep building on.
“The message this week was clear that we wanted to win first,” Pietersen told the media afterward, adding, “Everything else would take care of itself after that.
“I thought the starting team did their job, and a lot of that comes down to the tempo we played at and our accuracy. If you put teams under pressure like that, they’re going to give away penalties.”
The coach was under no illusion that it was a weakened French side that came to South African shores for this clash, but insisted the victory was needed to build character and belief.
“This was a good confidence game for us.
“It gave us the belief that our game model works. As a coaching staff, we still need to review honestly and look at how we can get better, because at the next level, you’re playing a different class of team.
“This win gives us confidence and belief, but we also know the Stormers will test us physically and mentally. We’ll have to front up again, improve in certain areas, and make sure we’re ready for two tough derby games.
“That’s where we want to be as a group: playing against the best and measuring ourselves. The Stormers set a good standard, and that’s what we’re working towards.”
Next up for Durbanites are the much-anticipated derbies against the Stormers home and away in the United Rugby Championship.
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