Carling Currie Cup head coach JP Pietersen was full of praise after his young Hollywoodbets Sharks team defeated DHL Western Province 29-21 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday evening.
“I’m extremely proud of this young team; it was a well-deserved win,” he said after the game. “The boys have shown a ton of character through five games, and to get the win is rewarding for them. I’m extremely happy for them, especially Nick Hatton for keeping up the standards and for keeping the fight going.
“It was beautiful at home!”
Assessing how his team went about the business of securing a home victory over the old foe, Pietersen felt that his team was generally in charge of the tempo of the game and how it panned out in the end.
“I think our overall performance was good, our game management was better than theirs, winning balls in the kicking game, and defensively we were good at stopping their mauls.
“I think Bradley Davids showed his experience when he came on in the second half, he just kept turning them back into their own half, which was very good.”
Every coach sets the game plan, but it’s up to his charges to stick to it and execute accordingly. Pietersen said he couldn’t really fault them, although their youthfulness is always going to have an influence in that execution.
“I am happy with the way they executed, but they are young men and will make mistakes. No wonder my beard is so grey, they do go a bit off-script!
“But that’s fine, it’s all part of learning, and that’s how you gain experience.”
There are always lessons to be learned, although those post-match sessions of analysis and insight, while educational, are a lot easier following a win.
“I think we can be more clinical in our own half and don’t force anything that isn’t on,” Pietersen explained of his own post-match analysis.
“Sometimes there was no more momentum, but we kept playing, and then we got behind the advantage line.
“So smarter decisions made earlier will save a lot of energy and make it a bit easier for us to play.”
With the Hollywoodbets Sharks having made no secret of the fact that Pietersen is blooding youngsters and building depth in this Carling Currie Cup campaign, the coach identified certain individuals who stood out for him.
“Batho Hlekani was good, but Liam van Wyk, the hooker, deserves a mention.”
The 19-year-old was scrumming against Scarra Ntubeni, who has played for the franchise across all levels since 2011, building huge experience in a 14-year career that money can’t buy.
“Province has a good, power pack, but he stood his ground, his lineouts were good, his tackling tops, so for me he was a standout player in this game.
“Everyone put their hand up, but he was the best for me.”
While the victory brings belief, Pietersen urged his players to keep their feet on the ground and heads out of the clouds.
“We can’t take this win for granted and think it’s just going to happen again. We go back to the drawing board and build on what we did, as well as fix the work-ons and get ready for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers.”