Given the quality of the opposition, and what the Blue Bulls brought to this intense derby match, the Cell C Sharks 26-19 Currie Cup victory at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday evening deserves plenty of praise.They were made to work hard for the seven point victory, denying the visitors a win that at times looked possible, but for some opportune and timely scores from the Cell C Sharks to bring them back into the game, and then allow them to take a lead that they would not relinquish, despite the pressure heaped on them by the visitors.
“It was a good game and I think there are going to be some very sore bodies,” said Head Coach Robert du Preez following his side’s win, as well as alluding to the physicality of the game.
“We are very happy with the win, the players were really courageous and it was a big improvement on the previous two weeks.”
The Bulls showed real intent in the competition with a 45-26 victory over Western Province earlier in the competition and a third win (deny by the Cell C Sharks) in their fourth match would have catapulted them to around the top of the log.
“This is a very good Bulls side which makes the victory all the more pleasing,” said du Preez. “There were still a lot of mistakes in the game, but that’s going to happen and I’m very pleased with the young guys; Inny did well and Curwin was outstanding.”
He admitted that there was real character shown to counter everything the Bulls threw at them, as well as how turnovers from his side managed to change the reflection of the game and give them the edge.
“The guys will know all about it after the physicality of this game, but that’s a sign of the character in this team. There were some fantastic turnovers which really helped our cause, and possibly even the difference between the two sides.
“However, we are not going to get ahead of ourselves, we will take it one game at a time, that’s our approach.”
Once again, this Cell C Sharks pack is proving to be a real heavy-weight as far as delivery goes, and week after week they provide a solid platform for the backs to do their thing.
“The pack was outstanding. We were battling to get some territory going at times and that’s something we’re going to need to work on. We need to play more in the opposition’s half and 22, but we were good when we had ball possession and when we put the phases together, we were very dangerous which is pleasing.
“In the first 15 minutes we were on the back foot and couldn’t get out of our half, or 22. But the young guys will learn; there is a lot of responsibility on the young shoulders of 10 and 15.”
The Cell C Sharks travel to Cape Town for their next Currie Cup clash, taking on Western Province at 5.10pm this Saturday.
The post A Hugely Pleasing Result appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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