Vincent Tshituka says the Sharks have been challenged to go from “good to great” by interim coach JP Pietersen.
After a poor start to the season, the Durban-based side has strung together back-to-back home wins under Pietersen, against Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup and the Bulls in the Vodacom URC.
Tshituka says the renewed belief inside the camp is palpable.
“It’s obviously been a really exciting time at the Sharks,” he said ahead of Saturday’s URC clash against the Lions at Kings Park. “We’ve had two good wins after a rough start to the season and I think it’s helped us build a bit of momentum and confidence that we needed.”
According to the flank, former Sharks and Springbok wing Pietersen has driven a noticeable shift in standards and accountability.
“JP has really challenged us on going from good to great, and that’s lifted our standards in everything we do,” he said.
“There are a lot of players taking personal responsibility and driving those standards. There’s been a lot of buy-in over the last couple of weeks and it’s been great.”
Tshituka added that he believes the Sharks – who are 13th on the URC log with two wins from seven matches – have the ability “to turn our season around”.
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The Lions are eighth on the URC log but have suffered three consecutive defeats – two in the EPCR Challenge Cup and one in the URC against the Stormers in Cape Town two weeks ago.
“It’s always a buzz playing a SA derby,” Tshituka said. “It’s always a big one against the Lions, it’s always a spectacle, so we expect nothing less than that. From the training we’ve had, we feel confident and ready, and the guys are really excited.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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