In a season marred by near misses, Sharks coach JP Pietersen addressed the latest setback after his team's playoff hopes were dashed with a 33-28 loss to Edinburgh. The Durban-based team, now positioned 10th, faces the reality of missing the top-eight in the Vodacom URC, turning their final games into mere formalities.
"Obviously, I am very disappointed with the result," Pietersen confessed, reflecting on the critical match that slipped through their fingers. "Two matches on the road that I felt we could have won, especially this one that seemed closer. The top eight is out of reach now and by our standards to finish outside of the top eight is hugely disappointing."
"I felt we had control in the first half. We started well, scored a good try. In saying that we gave away two tries in the first half through soft moments,"
Pietersen said, lamenting the missed opportunities and lapses in discipline.
The Sharks showed promise early in the match in Scotland, with winger Edwill van der Merwe lighting up the scoreboard first, followed by prop Vincent Koch bulldozing over to secure a 21-14 lead. However, the tide turned dramatically as Edinburgh mounted a fierce comeback in the final quarter, putting down three tries and flipping the script.
"When we got the ball, we didn’t kick it out, which would have given us control. We kept it in play which put us under pressure and resulted in them scoring," Pietersen added, pinpointing the tactical errors. "They scored soon after with a quick kick-off. We could have done better by anticipating that."
The Sharks' woes were compounded by the loss of scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who suffered a concussion in the 25th minute. "Losing Jaden in the first half was difficult. Someone with his experience, his game management during that pressure cycle would have been important for us," Pietersen noted, highlighting the impact of Hendrikse's early exit.
Despite the disappointment, Pietersen remains committed to his vision for the team. "We are learning as a group. This group is learning to win. My job as coach is to get this group of players to believe and to convert these opportunities into winning games. I am committed to doing this." He also praised the young fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, saying, "Siyaya impressed me yet again. This kid is unreal!"
With their playoff aspirations quashed, the Sharks now look to salvage pride in their upcoming fixtures at Kings Park against Benetton and Zebre, hoping to end their season on a high note.
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In a season marred by near misses, Sharks coach JP Pietersen addressed the latest setback after his team's playoff hopes were dashed with a 33-28 loss to Edinburgh. The Durban-based team, now positioned 10th, faces the reality of missing the top-eight in the Vodacom URC, turning their final games into mere formalities.
"Obviously, I am very disappointed with the result," Pietersen confessed, reflecting on the critical match that slipped through their fingers. "Two matches on the road that I felt we could have won, especially this one that seemed closer. The top eight is out of reach now and by our standards to finish outside of the top eight is hugely disappointing."
"I felt we had control in the first half. We started well, scored a good try. In saying that we gave away two tries in the first half through soft moments,"
Pietersen said, lamenting the missed opportunities and lapses in discipline.The Sharks showed promise early in the match in Scotland, with winger Edwill van der Merwe lighting up the scoreboard first, followed by prop Vincent Koch bulldozing over to secure a 21-14 lead. However, the tide turned dramatically as Edinburgh mounted a fierce comeback in the final quarter, putting down three tries and flipping the script.
"When we got the ball, we didn’t kick it out, which would have given us control. We kept it in play which put us under pressure and resulted in them scoring," Pietersen added, pinpointing the tactical errors. "They scored soon after with a quick kick-off. We could have done better by anticipating that."
The Sharks' woes were compounded by the loss of scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who suffered a concussion in the 25th minute. "Losing Jaden in the first half was difficult. Someone with his experience, his game management during that pressure cycle would have been important for us," Pietersen noted, highlighting the impact of Hendrikse's early exit.
Despite the disappointment, Pietersen remains committed to his vision for the team. "We are learning as a group. This group is learning to win. My job as coach is to get this group of players to believe and to convert these opportunities into winning games. I am committed to doing this." He also praised the young fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, saying, "Siyaya impressed me yet again. This kid is unreal!"
With their playoff aspirations quashed, the Sharks now look to salvage pride in their upcoming fixtures at Kings Park against Benetton and Zebre, hoping to end their season on a high note.