The Cell C Sharks had to work hard in the second half of our Currie Cup match against Western Province to secure a come-from-behind 21-20 victory, finally showing the patience needed to score the crucial, match-winning try.
Head coach Robert du Preez cited the team’s patience – or impatience – as an area they will look to improve upon. This after dominating territory and possession in the second half as we chased victory, but had to wait until the dying moments of the match before Inny Radebe scored the try we had so desperately been working for. Certainly no lack of effort can be cited there.
But Robert du Preez admitted that he was exasperated waiting for his team to nail down victory.
“It was really frustrating, we created so many opportunities and we just couldn’t convert them, but it was a great win. It’s always tough to come here to Newlands and get a victory.”
He identified a lack of patience as the reason behind the team finding it difficult to finish the many opportunities created.
“I think it’s a little bit down to impatience, but we just battled to get going after the bye, I felt that the guys were quiet. I think that had a role to play as well. The first half was good rugby, in the second half I felt for the spectators.
“But winning, even by one point against Western Province, at Newlands, is a mark of this team’s character and I was very pleased with that.”
There were two injury concerns identified, Kobus van Wyk picked a groin injury which will be assessed at a medical, and Jean Droste broke his nose but the coach thought he should be fine.
Odwa Ndungane played the senior role with aplomb and du Preez had only good words to say of him. “He always plays well, whether he comes off the bench or starts the game, he’s a guy with great experience and is crucial from a leadership point of view.”
The Cell C Sharks have worked ourselves into a handy position on the log at the halfway stage, currently lying in second spot behind the Free State Cheetahs who edged the Golden Lions in what was also a victory secured in the dying stages of the game after trailing their opponents. The Cheetahs victory means they are one point clear of us, with this Saturday’s clash between the two teams, at Growthpoint KINGS PARK proving crucial.
“There’s no pressure on us, we’ll take it one game at a side,” said du Preez of the expectation riding on our march to the knock-out rounds. “We have Free State next, at home, then Pumas and Griquas away, so we have a tough run, but we won’t look further ahead than the next game.”
With the halfway stage now reached and the second round starting this weekend, the Cell C Sharks will look to continue their focus of regular improvements.
“We struggled with our exits in the early part of the competition but that’s a bit better. The other area we will work on is our patience. We’ve created quite a few opportunities but we need to hang on to the ball, we have to keep it through multiple phases.
“I think that’s the biggest area we need to work on.”
The post Building Patience appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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