Despite the Sharks drawing 22-22 against the Lions at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening, Sharks coach Mike Walls believes his team delivered the best performance of the Currie Cup season.
Initially, it seemed the Sharks might secure a victory when Mano Barnard scored the fourth attempt late in the match. However, the Lions responded with an excellent attack, sending Guillermo Mentoe for the equalizer. Subsequently, Lions flyhalf Sam Francis failed to convert a kick that could have secured the win for the visitors, leading to the draw.
Despite the disappointment of missing the advantage, Walls highly praised his players, particularly the defensive work which allowed the team to stay in the game despite dramatic changes after halftime.
Currie Cup
Walls commented on the flow of the game, noting: 'What a rollercoaster today was.' He added that in the first half, the team likely underperformed due to poor discipline, which prevented them from establishing themselves in the game. He emphasized that it was in the second half that the team's defense and their fight over eighty minutes brought immense pride.
Before the break, the Sharks trailed the Lions 10-5. After the break, they managed to change the momentum by scoring twice early in the second half, increasing the lead to 17-10. The Lions equalized to 17-17 thanks to hooker Armando Combrinck, setting up a tense finish that seemed to be decided by Barnard's late attempt.
Nevertheless, for Walls, his players' reaction was more significant than the result itself. He stated that it was possibly 'the best 80 minutes we've put together in the Currie Cup,' expressing great pride in the effort, fight, and overall play of the group.
The coach also highlighted the character of his squad, specifically the team's ability to recover from a difficult first half and remain calm under pressure. He noted that the team demonstrated its fighting spirit and character within its system, which was a very good outcome.
One of the standout performers for the Sharks was 20-year-old Luan Giliomme, who was named man of the match for his influential performance at fullback. Giliomme made the final pass for Christie Grobbelaar's attempt and impressed with his decision-making and composure, despite his young age. Walls remarked: 'Luan is a special player, right? At 20, he does things many cannot do. He truly understands the game. He understands the game, and he is solid, so I am so glad he could show such a performance for the team.'
Other results in the Currie Cup on Friday showed how defending champions Griquas solidified their position at the top of the table, defeating Airlink Pumas 38-14 in Mbombela, while the Stormers XXIII kept hope alive for the semi-finals by beating Bulls XV 50-26 in Loftus.