Sharks to bring in reinforcements after injury-hit Cardiff win
REACTION: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has confirmed that the franchise could bring in reinforcements to cover for four injured players following their 36-21 bonus-point victory over Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.
The Sharks got their campaign back on track with an impressive win in Wales on Friday, but the result came at a cost, with captain and Springbok André Esterhuizen among four players forced off through injury.
*READ: Bok star suffers injury in opening minute as Sharks see off Cardiff
Esterhuizen left the field in the opening minute after an awkward landing following the first aerial contest. While Pietersen did not reveal the severity of the injury, the Sharks captain was later seen on crutches with his right foot in a moon boot.
The Durban-based side also lost Phatu Ganyane, Jurenzo Julius and Jason Jenkins to injury during the encounter.
Pietersen confirmed that the Sharks would provide an injury update on Sunday and could bring in players to cover for those sidelined.
“We lost Andre early, we lost Phatu also early in the first half, injured his elbow.
“And then obviously lost Jurenzo at half-time, and then second half started and we lost Jason Jenkins.
“So we had four injuries in a very quick succession.”
Despite the setbacks, Pietersen was proud of how his players rallied together to secure a crucial victory on the road.
“The beautiful thing about this team is the Sharks Warriors, they found a way to get on with it and find a way to pull closer together.
“I must give massive credit to the group, to the players for sticking in a fight and finish the game off like that.”
The Sharks found themselves under pressure when Cardiff moved into a 21-17 lead in the 60th minute. However, Pietersen’s charges produced a strong final quarter to turn the game around and secure all five log points.
They crossed the try line six times, with Matt Romao scoring a brace, as the visitors finished strongly despite their mounting injury concerns.
Pietersen acknowledged that his side could easily have let the game slip away but praised the leadership shown during a difficult period.
“We were under the pump also. I think it was 21-17, playing against a wind, we could have easily lost.
“The old Sharks could have lost easily.
“But we stuck in there. Some great leadership from Nick Hatton and Emile van Heerden did as well in that period.”
The coach was particularly pleased with the character his players showed to secure a maximum-points return away from home.
“To get five points on the road is really special and not to give Cardiff any points.
“I just saw deeply this group cares about this badge and our identity and the way we want to take the Souths organisation forward,” he added.
Despite the result, Pietersen insisted that the Sharks still had work to do as they continued to develop their identity under his leadership.
“We know it wasn’t perfect. As we know, we’re still in the process of becoming that team.
“And we’re just happy with the result and over the moon to get five points in Cardiff. But we’re also keeping our feet on the ground, as we know we’ve got a massive game against Munster in Limerick.”
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