In what was effectively a Rainbow Cup SA semi-final, the Cell C Sharks did what was necessary against the Emirates Lions to achieve exactly what they needed to set themselves up for Saturday’s ‘final’ against the Vodacom Bulls.
In a winner-takes-all final round to the competition, the Cell C Sharks will be crowned champions this coming Saturday should they repeat their match-winning effort against the Lions over the weekend.
“I was really pleased with the performance, it was a massive challenge and we were also forced into making late changes which was a disruption,” said Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt on reflection.
“But we had the bye week in which to focus on correcting the stuff that hasn’t worked well for us and the pack delivered a really good performance, while the backs did well with the platform that was created for them.”
In particular the lineouts functioned optimally and there were even a few steals which broke the Lions’ momentum.
“It was a big problem against the Bulls and Stormers, and we must also give credit to the opposition, they were outstanding against us. In saying that, no disrespect to the Lions on Saturday, but our guys worked hard, we went back to the drawing board and simplified our options and that certainly paid dividends for us.”
Bye weeks can be helpful, but sometimes the break in play can lead to a break in momentum. Fortunately, this didn’t materialise on Saturday when the team dominated and delivered. Everitt acknowledged the effort from his wider squad members who really stepped up to the challenge.
“There were a lot of excited youngsters out there and that shows what happens when players get opportunities. Guys like Manie Libbok and Boeta Chamberlain haven’t played much, Werner Kok played in a different position and Makazole Mapimpi was back for us, while Anthony Volmink was outstanding at fullback, so those guys have been chomping at the bit to play and when they got the opportunity, they certainly did well.
“I knew that coming into this game there would be no lacking of energy. But in saying that, we are a performance-driven team and I’m very happy with the way we played.”
Flyhalf depth is something the Cell C Sharks can look at with great satisfaction after this match. With Curwin Bosch rested for this game, both Manie Libbok and then Boeta Chamberlain showed hunger to play and delivered exactly what their coach requires of them.
“Boeta has been very unlucky over the last 18 months or so with the injuries he’s had to carry. He displayed really good form in 2020 when we were overseas and it was great that he got time. When we played against the Bulls in wet weather in Durban he was outstanding in that game, We’re very happy with where we are as far as that’s concerned because we know that flyhalves are going to play a big role when we go to Europe at the end of the year.”
The win puts into perspective the character in the side. They were under immense pressure in a must-win situation and they delivered with aplomb.
“It was a tough two weeks, losing two in a row and then coming to Emirates Airline Park to rectify matters was never going to be easy because the Lions were on the up and playing some superb rugby,” said Everitt.
“This win gives us confidence going into the final match against the Bulls at Jonsson Kings Park on Saturday. We’ll be selecting our strongest possible team, we’re in with a chance against the Bulls at home and we’ll be aiming to score the four tries and get a victory.”
The post A Thrilling Performance appeared first on The Sharks.
The Rainbow Cup SA competition is hotting up as the final round approaches after the Cell C Sharks scored a vital 33-21 victory over the Emirates Lions to keep their title aspirations alive.
Needing 10 points from their final two matches, the Cell C Sharks are halfway there after their bonus point victory at Emirates Airline Park. They trail the Vodacom Bulls by four log points with the two teams meeting in an unofficial final next weekend at Jonsson Kings Park to determine who finishes off as the local champions.
The forwards stepped up to the challenge and delivered a near-perfect performance in the scrums, the lineouts in particular and when it mattered, they mauled the ball over the tryline.
After a helter-skelter start to the game with both teams opting to play at a high tempo, the Lions built up a period of pressure that eventually culminated in a try after the Cell C Sharks were forced to defend their line for six or seven difficult minutes.
The Cell C Sharks struck back almost immediately, sending a penalty into the corner and then the forwards executing the maul try perfectly with hooker Kerron van Vuuren directing matters from the back to score and Manie Libbok equalising from out wide.
The Durbanites grew in confidence and reversed the stats on territory and possession that had favoured the home side and by the half hour, a TMO-referred try was denied, but penalty advantage saw the lineout and maul option taken to good effect with van Vuuren once more the man in possession as the Cell C Sharks took a 12-7 lead.
The third try was something sensational as Makazole Mapimpi made a great break, fed Jaden Hendrikse who drew the defence and with patience and verve, offloaded to Phepsi Buthelezi who strolled over under the posts handing Libbok the simplest of conversions for a 19-7 lead.
Five minutes of extra time saw the home side score their second try as they hammered away at the tryline and with the conversion, it was a five point game as the teams headed for the change-rooms.
It was an ending the Cell C Sharks wouldn’t have enjoyed, but the second half burst into action right from the start and Mapimpi showed why he’s the first Springbok to score a try in a Rugby World Cup Final as his blistering pace took him right through the Lions’ defence following a long period of dominance, but more importantly, real patience to set up the opportunity for the bonus point try, converted by Libbok for a 26-14 lead.
It was game on when the Lions managed to drive over from a lineout maul in the 55thminute of what was turning out to be an extraordinary game, a highly-contested one at that. It was a five point game after the successful conversion which just added to the tension.
But if the Lions thought they were back in the game, some individual kicking brilliance from Boeta Chamberlain saw him chip over the defence and regather the ball before sending Volmink into space to score an important try and with the conversion and eight minutes remaining, the Cell C Sharks led 33-21.
The Lions continued to chase the game but simply couldn’t absorb the pressure from the Cell C Sharks who played at a tempo that was always just that little bit more, that little bit faster and that little bit more effective.
The post Tournament is Alive appeared first on The Sharks.
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