VIDEO: Bok desire still driving Siya and his Sharks hard
It is headlined as the ‘Game of the weekend’, but the Sharks’ 22-19 win over Ulster in Belfast is more like the ‘comeback of the season’.
Ulster looked odds on to be heading for a victory when they led 19-0 after half-an-hour.
However, 50 minutes later Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse slotted the match-winning penalty three minutes from time at Ravenhill.
The motivation behind that sensational comeback – in a weekend of a South African clean sweep in the United Rugby Championship – had as much to do with national honours as it did with the race for places in the play-offs.
Sharks skipper Siya Kolisi said the desire to impress Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is contributing to the improved form of individuals in the team.
The win in Belfast ensured the Sharks remained entrenched in the top four, seven points ahead of Cardiff and five behind the Bulls in third.
Kolisi highlighted the competitiveness among the players vying for places in the Bok team.
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Sharks captain Siya Kolisi on how his side reeled in Ulster and their 19-0 lead to prevail 22-19. #URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/XjmIF6oPWp
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“It’s big for our country,” he said of having three teams in the top eight, adding: “It’s big for us as a group.
“A lot of us are fighting against each other to make the national team.
“Last year we [the Sharks] won the Challenge Cup, but this is big for us.
“We know how tough it’s going to be with the way Leinster is going, and the Bulls are going well, and Glasgow.
“To get a home play-off is big, so that’s what we’re fighting for.”
