The Emirates Lions proved to be a formidable foe in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby clash in Johannesburg on Saturday, but it was the Cell C Sharks who prevailed in this exciting, intense match.
Reflecting on the game, Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt felt there was a lot to be pleased about in his team’s first game in nearly two months.
“There are a lot of positives to take out of the game, it’s easy to reflect on mistakes but you have to look at the good rugby played by both teams,” Everitt said afterwards. “I thought it was an entertaining game.”
Scoring at the death to ensure victory showed that fitness levels and composure were at the right level. Coastal teams have often battled with the altitude when playing in Johannesburg, but this Cell C Sharks team coped well.
“It’s never easy coming up to the highveld to play, especially with a 3pm kick-off, although the weather was kind to us and it wasn’t as hot as we had predicted,” the coach explained.
“The guys are in good shape, we’ve been able to pick up the conditioning and fitness over the six week break and that’s why we are able to play at a high intensity for the full 80 minutes.”
With a bonus point for tries scored, Everitt admitted that attacking off turnover ball is part of the team’s DNA, given the quality of players in the backline who feed off the energy and courage of the forwards.
“Our plan for this game was to put pressure on the Lions defensively. We felt they might overplay in the wrong areas of the field and if we defended well, we’d get reward from that. So we did get that, but unfortunately we did get untidy in our attack and created opportunities for them. They beat the Stormers comfortably and forced 25 turnovers, so we were wary of that.
“For us, the frustration was the kick-offs, both sending and receiving, I don’t think either team was good enough in that area and we were never able to get away on the scoreboard because of that. So that’s a big work-on for us.”
The scrum battle was well-contested and it was an area the Cell C Sharks had identified for hard work in preparation to counter a strong Lions scrum.
“We knew it was going to be tough, the Lions have gained most of their penalties at scrum-time and they are the most successful scrum team in the URC at the moment, so credit to them for that.
“With Ox and Thomas – both Springboks – we knew we could nullify that threat. We were happy with the set-piece although we did conceded a scrum penalty near the end which put us under pressure with the game at 40-37. Not ideal, but a big improvement if you look back over the last 12 months.”
With just three points separating the two teams as the game approached its conclusion and the Lions threatening to score late and win the game, Everitt admitted that there were some anxious moments in the coaching box.
“It was tense right until the end, we were possibly a bit lucky with the try that Lukhanyo scored at the end, it was against the run of play but once again came from good defence and a turnover from the Lions. That took the game away from them and we’re just very happy to have got the win here at Emirates Airline Park.”
Having work class outside backs makes a huge difference and the Cell C Sharks boast three match-winning Springboks in Sbu Nkosi, Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi.
“The type of rugby you play depends on the personnel you have and having guys like Sbu, Makazole – who scored three tries – and Aphelele at fullback who is much-improved means when there are opportunities, these guys can nail them. That’s what happened in this game and that’s the reason why we won.
“A guy like Mapimpi has to be the best left wing in the world and someone like Lukhanyo has been superb, he has to be the world’s best 13, and it’s great that they play as they do both internationally and for their franchise, it proves that they’re proud of their franchise and want to play for us.
“Sometimes you get players who perform at international level but don’t bring it to the party at domestic level. But we have great people and we’re very grateful to have them at The Sharks; they’re happy where they are too, wearing the Black & White jersey and performing at the highest level.”