MORE OF THE SAME, PLEASE

The Cell C Sharks showed their true mettle as they grinded out an invaluable home win against the defending Currie Cup champions, the Pumas. The intent is to carry on where they left off last Friday night, against the Bulls at Hollywoodbets Kings Park today…

The sheer significance of last weekend’s feat may only become obvious once this year’s Currie Cup Premier Division has run its course.

Considering that the Cell C Sharks had to play the majority of the second half with only 14, and, at one stage, 13 men, their 1912 victory over the defending champions and Currie Cup log leaders was indeed hard-fought, and well-deserved.

It was the Pumas’ first defeat from five games played so far this season, which underlines the enormity of the Cell C Sharks’ feat.

Following a minute of silence for coaching legend Ian McIntosh, who had passed away last week, the Cell C Sharks exhibited a highly resolute start to the confrontation and raced to a commanding 16-0 advantage after just over half an hour.

As was the case the week before, against the Lions in Johannesburg, the Cell C Sharks’ discipline let them down shortly after halftime, when they conceded both a red and yellow card. To their credit, this setback only served to harden the resolve even more.

“The guys showed incredible character during this tough period,” Cell C Sharks coach Joey Mongalo observed.

“That’s not coaching; that’s purely a group that is starting to believe in each other and the journey that this team is on.

“It almost feels like this team likes adversity, because every time that things get tough they seem to stand up.”

Captain Reniel Hugo, named Man of the Match, led from the proverbial front, and his leadership carried the team through that extremely difficult 10-minute period, when they had to get by with only 13 men.

“Reniel was massive, and well assisted by

Murray Koster,” Mongalo said.

“That type of leadership was the only thing that could have pulled the team through.

“Reniel has a calm head, and he leads through action. So, when he does speak, the guys follow.”

The Cell C Sharks enjoy an unbeaten record at home in this year’s Currie Cup, but have lost both their away games to date, against Griquas and the Lions.

“We’re in the second phase of our roadmap, with three out of the four games during this phase at home.

“This win does give us enormous confidence, and I’m hoping that this confidence will breed more and more belief.