Hollywoodbets Sharks Currie Cup coach JP Pietersen believes his team are continuing to evolve as a unit ahead of their round three matchup with the Pumas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Friday.
Despite the hosts heading into this one off the back of consecutive defeats to the Golden Lions and Griquas in the opening rounds, the experienced Pietersen is noticing progression in his squad.
“We’re growing nicely as a group and it’s a great opportunity tomorrow to showcase what we’ve been working on. Obviously, the chat was to be positive and concentrate more on the positives. We look forward to the challenge against the Pumas.”
Several Sharks Springboks have come in and out of the side over the past fortnight, with wholesale changes made for Friday’s game. But the Super Rugby centurion says his team have profited from their provincial hit out, and so too will the national side.
“I don’t think it’s a disruption. If you look at how we played in the first half [against Griquas], 24-7 up and all the Springboks were playing, so they did definitely contribute and helped us. I think it is what it is, they needed some game time and most of them are in the mix for the match against Portugal [in Bloemfontein on Saturday].”
Coming up against Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas outfit, Pietersen wants to see more composure from his charges.
“I think the game against Griquas, in the second-half, we had two opportunities to finish the game and we didn’t take them. Credit to Griquas for putting us under pressure. What we’ve been working on this week is the balance of playing and the balance of game management.
“That was the chat this week, hopefully we can control better when we’re in a cycle of not going forward or going backwards; how we transfer pressure.”
Kick-off is at 19h00.
