Coach JP Pietersen was chuffed with the Sharks’ big win at Kings Park on Saturday, notably praising Luan Giliomee and Janco Purchase for taking their opportunities.
Man of the Match Giliomee scored two tries, with Vusi Moyo contributing 14 points from the kicking tee as the Durbanites kicked off their URC season with a 41-24 bonus-point victory over the Ospreys.
Purchase was called into the starting XV before kick-off after Murray Koster withdrew through injury, and the centre played a key role in Manu Tshituka’s first-half try – the second of five from Pietersen’s men.
Speaking post-match, the ex-Bok said the Sharks would take a win even if it was not polished, adding: “If you win ugly you’ll be happy.”
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“I’m pleased with the performance, and pleased to get a win at home,” he said. “I think it’s the first time the Sharks have won their first game in the URC.
“The stats will say there were a lot of handling errors from us but that comes when you go forward, you want to move the ball. If we win, I’ll be happy with four points. Today, we got five.”
He described Giliomee, who will join the Bulls before the end of the year, as “exceptional”.
“He understands the game, he understands space, and he’s got speed. We’re just grateful that we had time with him, and we’ll still have him next week.”
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According to Pietersen, Purchase’s performance reflects well on the Sharks junior system.
“We talk about Gilly, but we had Purchie here who did everything right, coming in at the last minute. It just shows how professional he is.
“He’s a smart kid who wants it, and you can see from the performance he put in today that he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
On-loan Stormers winger Suleiman Hartzenberg delivered a strong performance in his first competitive outing for the Sharks.
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Pietersen said Hartzenberg, who came close to scoring his first Sharks try but it was ruled out for a knock-on, had “put his hand up” and showed his experience.
In an injury update, Pietersen revealed Koster pulled out with a back niggle and will be re-assessed with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (tight hamstring) for next week.
The Sharks will now refocus for a round-two clash against Leinster next Saturday, after the defending champions began their title defence with a 27-26 defeat by the Lions in Joburg.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post JP happy to see all the hands up appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach JP Pietersen was chuffed with the Sharks’ big win at Kings Park on Saturday, notably praising Luan Giliomee and Janco Purchase for taking their opportunities.
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