Hollywoodbets Sharks backline coach David Williams says his side remain on the road to the knockouts after their 29-19 URC win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
This is the second victory, for the Durbanites over the Pretoria outfit this season, and has seen them close the gap to be within a single log point of Jake White’s charges after the weekend’s action.
They have remained in fourth on 34-points with the Bulls in third, with both local franchises having a game in hand on second-placed Glasgow Warriors.
Despite serious issues with ill-discipline that saw them concede three yellow cards, Williams says the entire Sharks squad showed great character after being reduced to 13-men at one stage.
They also weren’t helped by injuries to double World Cup-winning front rankers Trevor Nyakane and Bongi Mbonambi.
“The Sharks as an organisation is a united front,” said Williams.
“We know we need a squad that can win tournaments and qualify for playoffs, so utilising the whole squad is important through the season, so it was great for these guys to get an opportunity.
“As a group we’ve got a lot of belief, we knew where their points of pressure were that the Bulls would impose on us.
“The yellow cards obviously weren’t planned for, but the fight and the intent the guys showed throughout those 80-minutes was outstanding.”
The midfield pairing of Lukhanyo Am and Jurenzo Julius came up big for the men in black and white, as did potential Player of the Season Ethan Hooker on the left wing.
Said Williams: “He (Lukhanyo) is an outstanding leader, obviously coming back from that injury.
“He actually asked me to check on him at 60-minutes, which I forgot. So, he actually went the full 80 at 12 and then went to 13 so I think he did a great job today.
“I think one of the reasons he (Jurenzo) joined (the Sharks) was (because of) the people he had in that position to learn from it. I think what Lukhanyo is sharing with him, in terms of Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo, is outstanding.”
The magnitude of the result cannot be understated for the injury-ravaged Sharks, who remain in prime position to challenge for a top four finish.
“From the very first part of the season, our challenge is to make the playoffs and win the last three games: the quarterfinal, semi-final and final. It’s just another journey on that road.”
