JP Pietersen admits Sharks’ playoff hopes are gone
REACTION: Sharks coach JP Pietersen has effectively conceded that his side’s United Rugby Championship campaign has reached its end, acknowledging that a play-off place is now beyond them.
Sitting 10th on 36 points, the Sharks remain mathematically within touching distance of the top eight, but Pietersen admitted their chances are now negligible. Instead, the focus shifts to playing for pride in their final two fixtures against Benetton and Zebre at Kings Park.
“The top eight is out of reach now, and by our standards, to finish outside of the top eight is hugely disappointing,” Pietersen said, reflecting on a campaign that has fallen short of expectations.
The Sharks’ record tells the story. Pietersen has overseen seven wins from 14 matches, while the side has managed just six victories from 16 URC games overall this season – all of them on home soil.
Their struggles abroad were mirrored in Europe, where they finished fifth in their Champions Cup pool before dropping into the Challenge Cup and suffering a 12-29 defeat to Connacht in Galway.
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That loss summed up their loss against Edinburgh on Friday. Level at 14-14 at halftime, the Sharks conceded three unanswered tries to slip behind, with a late Vincent Tshituka score offering only a measure of respectability and two bonus points.
“Obviously, I am very disappointed with the result. Two matches on the road that I felt we could have won, especially this one that seemed closer,” Pietersen said, also referencing their narrow 17-21defeat to Ospreys the week before.
While the Sharks started well, with a penalty and an early try from Edwill van der Merwe, poor decision-making and costly errors proved decisive.
“At times, we didn’t manage the game well. We gave away soft penalties and easy exits in our half,” Pietersen explained. “When we got the ball, we didn’t kick it out, which would have given us control. We kept it in play, which put us under pressure.”
There were positives, however. The bench made an impact in the second half, with Vincent Koch’s try briefly putting the Sharks ahead, while 18-year-old Zekhethelo Siyaya once again caught the coach’s eye.
“Siyaya impressed me yet again. This kid is unreal. This is what you want from our players… he is the real deal,” Pietersen said.
But the turning point came soon after, with the Sharks unable to deal with a restart, allowing Mosese Tuipulotu to score before further defensive lapses sealed their fate.
Injury only compounded their problems, with Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse forced off early.
“Losing Jaden in the first half was difficult. Someone with his experience, his game management during that pressure cycle would have been important for us,” Pietersen added.
Now, with their play-off hopes effectively gone, the Sharks are left to close out their campaign with pride and begin laying the foundation for a more consistent future.
