Coach JP Pietersen praised his replacements – and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse in particular – after the Sharks’ 21-12 Vodacom URC win against the Bulls at Kings Park.
The hosts secured just their second victory of the Vodacom URC season with a strong finish.
While Johan Ackermann’s men dominated territory and possession for long periods, won the scrum battle and led through four Handré Pollard penalties, the Sharks stepped up a gear, with two decisive scores in the last 10 minutes.
Pietersen said the impact off the bench, led by Hendrikse’s spark around the fringes, was key.
“There was a lot going through my mind in that last 20 minutes – I can’t really recall everything,” Pietersen said. “But I have to give massive credit to Jaden. I think he made four or five big moments in the game that really changed it for us.
“That’s what you want from your bench – energy and impact. When those guys come on and lift the tempo, it makes a massive difference, and Jaden did exactly that today.”
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The Bulls’ scrum, anchored by Bok tighthead prop Wilco Louw, enjoyed the upper hand for much of the contest.
“We knew that’s what the Bulls would bring,” said Pietersen. “They’re a very good team with the set-piece, especially at scrum time. That’s something we’ll keep working on, but the important thing for us was how we stayed in the fight.”
The notorious Durban humidity made ball-handling difficult, with the Sharks making a plethora of handling errors in a frustrating first half.
“For us to score three tries in those conditions is massive,” said Pietersen. “We still wanted to attack and move the ball, and I loved the bravery to keep giving it a go.”
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The former Sharks and Springbok wing also paid tribute to the near-capacity Kings Park crowd.
“It felt like a Test match out there,” he said. “The noise, the energy – that means a lot to the players, especially the guys who’ve been here a long time and the younger ones experiencing it for the first time. That kind of support stays with you, and it’s something we can build on.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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