Sharks forced to make changes for Griquas clash

Following the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV decisive victory over the visiting Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Saturday, there was a sense that the Carling Currie Cup campaign is definitively back on track with three rounds remaining.

“This win keeps us alive in the competition,” said head coach Mike Vowles after his team had secured a 19-12 victory. “We knew how significant this week was in terms of a result and it sets us up with two home games. We’re determined to finish in the top four and get a semi-final.

For the coach, there was plenty to be pleased about and lots of praise to shower on his team.

“I’m very proud of the group, it was another match where we were really tested from a character point of view and to hold on like we did in the second half, I’m just so proud.

“Again, we created a lot of opportunities and you can see the growth in the team, how they are starting to show more confidence in the way we want to play and the decision-making, so this is a positive step in the right direction.

“In a big week for The Sharks, it was great to get a positive result and give back to the KwaMashu crowd who were absolutely awesome.”

For Vowles, what stood out for him in the second half was how the team embraced the challenge and never waivered.

“It was the resilience and the fight that we showed, if you look at how we defended, there was real physicality, there was effort and that was probably the defining part of the second half, where we manned up physically against them and defended really well and that put them under pressure.”

The result came at just the right time and the coach admitted that the way they responded in this game spoke volumes

“This is a special group, we pride ourselves on connection and care and they always fight. We probably haven’t been on the right side of some areas in the last couple of weeks but one thing we’ve never had to as for and that’s more attitude and fight, and this group has that in tons.

“It was important for the guys to get across the line just from a confidence point of view and understanding that we can actually do it, so in terms of the competition, this performance was massive.

“The atmosphere was amazing, it was the KwaMashu magic that got us across the line! The vibe and energy from the crowd was unbelievable. They were with us throughout the 80 minutes, they turned out in numbers and it was a privilege to play in front of them.

“Most players will tell you that when you play at home, you feed off the energy of the crowd and these guys brought it in bucketloads, so it was an awesome experience.”

Talking support, Carling Man of the Match Lyle Matthews had his Hillcrest Villages teammates roaring approval every time the ball went his way as they supported from the stands.

“It’s such a great story, not only is he a talented rugby player, but he’s an unbelievable human being,” said Vowles. “He has such a good head on his shoulders and I’m just so pleased he’s taken the opportunity with two hands and I think it’s a great indictment of club rugby that there are the so-called rough diamonds out there and given the opportunity, they come through.

“His is a great story of Hillcrest Rugby Club, a great story of the commitment they’ve shown in terms of their rugby programme and I’m just so happy he’s been able to take his opportunity and achieve what he’s done.”

The Sharks XV are on the road for the fourth and final time this Friday when they travel to Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley to take on the Suzuki Griquas in a fifth-round Carling Currie Cup match.

With matches on Saturday and the All Blacks on Tuesday evening using up much of the player resources available, Vowles has had his hands full juggling his team and managing player workload, given that some were involved in the Carling Currie Cup win over the Kavaliers as well as the New Zealand national side.

“We’re back on the road on Friday afternoon, so it’s a quick turnaround for us and there are a lot of moving parts for us this week, so we’ll prepare well, ice a few sore bodies and go to Kimberley fully prepared to fight for the full 80,” Vowles explained.

Vowles has been forced to make changes across the board, given the workload his players have faced in the last couple of weeks, particularly in Tuesday evening’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash with the All Blacks.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga; 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (cap); 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Meno Barnard, 4 Johan Momsen; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Jaco du Toit. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18 Simphiwe Ngobese, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Janco Purchase, 23 Chijindu Okonta.