Back-to-back wins a relief for Sharks
The Sharks will hope their positive run of results is a sign their struggles this season are finally coming to an end.
The Durban-based franchise achieved back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they beat the Dragons 29-9 in a Challenge Cup match at Rodney Parade in Wales on Sunday. Before that victory, the Sharks beat Oyonnax 38-7 at home.
The victory in Wales saw the Sharks finish at the summit of their pool and secured a home berth for the round of 16, in which they will host Zebre Parma of Italy in April.
The recent success in the Challenge Cup will come as a relief to Sharks supporters, who have watched their team struggle in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
In the URC, the Sharks have won one match and lost eight to sit at the bottom of the log table.
Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell, who has been standing in for coach John Plumtree over the past two weeks, applauded the players for the hard work they have put in to get the team over the line again.
“I’m very happy about the result, to get a five-pointer away from home and our first backto-back wins and also first away win this season,” Powell said.
“We had the toughest first 30 minutes and it felt like our game didn’t go our way.
“But credit to the boys for the composure ... to turn it around and score twice in the last 10 minutes of the first half to give us a good momentum and foundation to build on for the second half.”
The Sharks gave a good allround performance, scoring five tries while protecting their try line as the hosts failed to cross it.
“We scored good tries and had good moments in the game where the forwards stood up and gave the backs good ball to play from. That gave us gain lines and good momentum in the mauls as well,” Powell said.
“There was a good defensive performance, having not conceded any tries in an away game. I’m proud of the boys. They fought for the home round of 16 and home quarterfinals.”
The Sharks will go on a three-week break before they host the Stormers in the URC on February 17.