On Friday night, Joey Mongalo’s Currie Cup side registered a 19-12 victory over the current Currie Cup Champions, the Airlink Pumas who had been unbeaten going into the fifth round of the 2023 Currie Cup Premier Division.
“We are happy with the performance, especially happy with the first 20 minutes when we played tactically very well, then the other side was the character shown when we were down to 13 men,” the team’s head coach admitted.
“That’s not coaching, but players starting to believe in each other.”
Despite losing two players, Mongalo acknowledged the galvanising effect this had on his team. “This team seems to respond well to adversity, because every time things get tough, they stand up. All credit to the players, the leadership really stood up, Reniel Hugo was massive.”
The Cell C Sharks captain was also named SuperSport’s Man of the Match and Mongalo suggested that Hugo was the right man for the accolade.
“I love the guy, on an individual level, I absolutely love the guy, so it’s great for him to lead the team. He has a calm head but leads a lot through action and when he speaks, the guys follow. He deserves the accolades he’s getting and I’m thankful to have him in the leadership group.
“I must compliment the entire playing group, not just the guys who started but also those who played off the bench, it was a huge effort.
“This win gives us confidence and hopefully that breeds more and more belief. This group is one win away from understanding just how good they can be.”