The Sharks played a brand of running rugby that thrilled the 10 000-strong Woodburn crowd as they amassed 10 scintillating tries on their way to a 70-17 drubbing of the Leopards in a Super 12 warm-up match on Wednesday night.
This was a match of two halves, with coach Kevin Putt admitting after the game that ”the players were upset at half-time, but very happy at the end of the match. This just goes to show their mindset.”
The Super 12 is not going to be a gentle competition. The Sharks will need to step up a gear if they are to achieve their best consistently.
At times, however, their best came out in bucket-loads. The first half produced just three tries, with a 24-14 lead at the break.
However, the second half saw the ”settling influence” of players such as John Smit and Butch James, and the leadership qualities that Jaco Gouws brought into the match.
The floodgates opened and the Sharks ran everything at their opposition. The Leopards fed on the scraps, but were unable to do anything more than stem the tide and score a solitary penalty for their efforts.
”The players could see a turnabout in the second half,” explained Putt. ”It was brought about in part by the leadership of a player like Jaco Gouws. You also can’t underestimate the impact a player like Butch [James] has.
”Straight away they were settling influences. Forget the score, the mentality changed. Take nothing away from Craig’s [Davidson] captaincy, but we needed guidance upfront and Jaco provided that.”
James’s influence on the game was immediate. Hardly had he stepped on to the field and a neat underhand pass set up wing Odwa Ndungane to score the first points of the second half, and he was instrumental in the next try as well.
His kicking, too, was exemplary, missing only three of his eight attempts, two of them striking the upright.
Although John Smit only played in the second half, according to Putt there is no injury concern. — Sapa