Hollywoodbets Sharks XV Currie Cup final hero Jordan Hendrikse underlined his immense Big Match Temperament with a tournament-clinching last-gasp penalty in Johannesburg on Saturday, and in so doing made good on a chirp by coach John Plumtree the day before.
Playing against his former employers, the young fullback stepped up with time up on the clock to sink a monster 59m kick and hand the Durbanites a dramatic 16-14 victory, as well as a ninth overall title.
Said Plumtree post-game: “I was just really proud of the boys. Time’s up on the clock and you’re wondering how you’re going to get next possession, and the Lions didn’t kill the game and just gave us one sniff. And that’s all we really wanted.
“Those types of moments are real good for our confidence, the never-give-up attitude we’re trying to install in the boys.”
The win, which follows up the side’s EPCR Challenge Cup triumph of last season, will provide Plumtree and his men with even greater confidence heading into their URC campaign, which kicks off this week against Connacht in Galway.
With so many players and coaches at the union having been involved in the Sharks’ efforts during the Currie Cup, the boss stressed that the win in Joburg was well and truly a group effort.
“The URC is the main goal, and the Champions Cup, when we get all the boys back from the Springboks,” said Plumtree. “But I think for this group of players it’s really important, and not just the players that played tonight but the players that played through the first six, seven rounds, and obviously that management team.
“I think it’s unique, it makes it special that we won tonight for a lot of people. The ex-players that sent me messages, they get excited about it, so there’s a lot of people back in Durban, back in Natal, that will be very happy tonight. To reflect on that is important.
“And a trophy like that, it is a beautiful trophy. I didn’t think I’d ever hold it again so that felt quite good!”
Ever the professional, Hendrikse said he drew on past disappointments and hours of practice when queried about his magic moment.
“All the early mornings, half-past five, training those pressure kicks [paid off]. One day when you do get that opportunity that’s when you need to nail it.
“Thinking back to when I used to be at the Lions, there were a couple of kicks I missed as well. So for me it was just staying calm and thinking about the small processes leading to the kick and just backing yourself.”
Plumtree chimed in: “I was teasing him yesterday because he was hitting them at captain’s practice from further back, and he was nailing them over. And I just said to him, ah mate that looks really good, but can you hit them in a pressure moment?
“And he got his chance, and he showed his old coach that he can do it, so good on ya!”
𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐈𝐂𝐊 😲
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 21, 2024
Jordan Hendrikse's 59m kick won it for the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 😤🔥 #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/wV7GC6pk80
