Key areas leading to Sharks' resurgence
STAT ATTACK: The Sharks’ double over one of the tournament favourites, the Stormers, raised eyebrows, but there are areas in which they’ve improved their game in those victories.
For most of the season, the Sharks didn’t boast more than 54 percent territory, which came in a losing cause against Leinster in Dublin.
Although they only managed 47 percent territory against the Stormers in Cape Town, it was their number of kicks (30), which is their most per URC game this season, that kept the former table toppers scrambling back and forced them into errors.
Although they made fewer kicks in Durban the following week (26), their territory number soared to 62 percent.
It’s clear what the Sharks changed in their game. They kick more, but in saying that, the kicks are also more calculated, not just willy-nilly gifting the ball back to the opposition.
Aphelele Fassi’s 50/22 against the Stormers in Cape Town is a testament to that.
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They still play the territory game, but it’s increasing in tandem with a smarter, more efficient kicking strategy, which is a basic principle of the game to increase pressure on the opposition.
Of course, their disruption of the Stormers’ set-piece, particularly the line-out in both mathces helps increase that number, but the Sharks appear to be finding a balance between tactical kicking and exploiting opposition back fields in doing so.
The Sharks’ set-piece in itself and dominance in general play with big forwards and a hybrid in captain Andre Esterhuizen often leads to the opposition transgressing and gifting JP Pietersen’s team easy entries into their half.
Their defensive work averages at 81 percent tackle completion, which is a slight concern, but fixable.
That could, however, bite them on the ankles if not addressed properly later in the season, especially if they reach the play-offs.
It would be interesting to see how they kick on in their upcoming rescheduled Round Eight United Rugby Championship fixture against the Lions at Ellis Park following the two victories against the Stormers, but so far, some signs indicate that the Sharks are on the right track to turn their season around.
