Sharks coach Jay P Petersen expressed his admiration for the significance of the team's second victory in several weeks, noting the impressive 26-20 win over defending champions Leinster at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
Thanks to this victory, the Sharks secured a confident first place in the URC table after the previous match against the Osprey. Petersen emphasized how special it was to defeat the champions, adding that earning five points is something exceptional.
Petersen admitted that he is still processing what happened, saying, 'These are just unreal scenes today,' and noted that the team won two matches and accumulated 10 points.
In the first half, the Sharks led 14-7 thanks to touchdowns by Manu Tsituki and Lily Bester. However, Leinster managed to come back into the game and briefly threatened the outcome of the match. It was then that the returning Springboks players demonstrated their strength.
Eben Etzebeth created a sensational break and pass that led to Andre Esterhuizen's touchdown. Following this, Edwil van der Merwe intercepted a pass and ran ahead, securing a bonus point victory and definitively deciding the match's outcome.
Thomas du Toit also made a significant impact in the scrums, and the return of the Springboks players showed why Petersen wanted them back in the Sharks squad so much.
Petersen admitted that he felt some nervousness before the game because the team only had one training session with them on Thursday. Nevertheless, it showcased their high class and professionalism. He noted that they needed a boost after Leinster scored, and Eben was brilliant in the transition attack that Andre finished, and then Edwil sealed it with an interception.
He stressed that this demonstrates what these players bring. As for the rest of the group, success depends on executing the right actions, system work, and the Springboks doing what they know when necessary.
However, for Petersen, the importance of the victory went beyond the contribution of the returning internationals. The Sharks spent the preseason building a culture where every player understands their role, and the coach believes this foundation allowed the Springboks players to integrate back into the team easily after international commitments.
He stated that it all comes down to the players accepting the plan. 'We built a culture during the preseason where players can be themselves and play the football they want. We collectively defined the vision and goals, and today it was visible that the players' collective decision-making is a sign of a team that truly wants to win.'
Petersen also mentioned that he was particularly encouraged by the desire of the Springboks players themselves to return to Durban and contribute to the Sharks' campaign. He said it is important to appreciate when the 'Boks' come and are simply themselves, without overdoing it, and feel responsible for helping the Sharks. He added that the 80 percent of the remaining squad created the platform for the 'Boks' to be the best version of themselves and deliver results.
'It is great to see players wanting to play. I don't see them as Springboks players; I see them as Sharks players. They signaled before the Springboks vs Australia match that they wanted to return and be part of this, and that showed today. They are elite players, and getting this experience today is what we must value.'
Petersen did not overly celebrate Leinster's difficulties either. The Irish giant is still searching for its first win in the new URC season and is missing some key players. He stated, 'I am a realist—this is not the best of Leinster.'
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that they put pressure on the Sharks because they possess a good system, a good coach, and good organization. Their players know what to do and how to win as defending champions. He concluded that the Sharks team simply needs to absorb this victory and regroup on Monday to figure out how to improve the game, as they face another strong opponent in Cape Town on Saturday.
