The Hollywoodbets Sharks take on the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus this weekend in a series of history-making circumstances, having reached the Vodacom United Rugby Championship semi-finals after knocking out Munster in last week’s quarter-final at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
It has been a season of firsts for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, the highest position they have attained at the conclusion of the pool stages, a rare double over the Vodacom Bulls, having beaten them home and away for a 100% success record against the team they face in Pretoria this Saturday.
Having hosted a quarter-final for the first time, playing a 100 minute knock-out game, another first, and then the penalty shootout which most rugby fans (and the players themselves) have never witnessed, the Hollywoodbets Sharks now play in their first semi-final.
For vice-captain Siya Kolisi, the team has shown consistent progress in the build-up to the knock-outs, and not only that, but grown as a team who has found ways to dig deep and win close games.
“Our progress has been good, but what we’ve learned about ourselves as a team is that we can fight,” he said in the aftermath of the victory over Munster.
It’s all about the self-belief and the fight and Kolisi paid tribute to the spirit in the team that has taken them to this level.
“Especially in games like that. In previous years, we would have lost those games. But the growth in the team and in the squad has been good. Even the guys who come in when others aren’t playing, they stand up and fight. When we played the Vodacom Bulls at home, there were a lot of guys who couldn’t play in that game, but those who did play stood up and fought.
“At the end of the day, people can say what they want about the way we play, but the results are what matter. Of course, a team wants to play well, but we were able to fight in Edinburgh, we fought at Ulste,r and those results matter because it’s really tough to win away, and we did it not playing our best rugby.”
While fans might have a different view on what they want out of their heroes, Kolisi accepts that they haven’t reached their full potential. But there is something to be said about playing winning rugby – however it is achieved.
“We know we can be better as individuals and as a team. We’re mindful of that, but the most important thing is finding a way to win and if we keep winning by one point or a penalty shoot-out, we’ll be fine with that.”
The value of having a core of Springboks in the team cannot be understated. These are big-name players who have been tested in the heat of battle in internationals and Rugby World Cups, similar to what the Hollywoodbets Sharks have faced lately and what lies ahead of them.
“Their experience does help,” said Kolisi. “You know, because you’ve been there, but also because you talk to the other guys next to you. Panic will not help, it’s all about calm heads, guys like Eben, Bongi and Andre all calm the guys down. Reminding their teammates to do what they have to and to be present in the moment.
“If you look at the scoreboard and worry about it, or what’s going to happen next in the game rather than what’s happening right now, that’s when you lose the plot.
“That’s when guys like Eben tell the guys to focus on the next job, that’s all that matters.
“And while they are calm because they’ve been in these pressure situations before, the guys next to them might not have been there, and that’s when they remind them to focus.”
