Much room for improvement for Sharks

The Stormers did receive two red cards during the clash which meant that they lost Seabelo Senatla and Willie Engelbrecht but were able to replace both players after the team played twenty minutes with fourteen men.

Ultimately it was the determination from the Sharks that saw them overturn an eleven-point half-time deficit to win the game, however number eight Sikhumbuzo Notshe believes there are crucial areas that need to be improved on.

“You can never be pleased with yourself after your first match and the one area we need to improve on is the breakdown,” Notshe said.

“Their stealers managed to get their hands on the ball, and we were slow to react when our teammates were carrying the ball.

“(The breakdown) is something that we haven’t shown consistency at and I think this last weekend was a case that we didn’t look after our teammates when they went into contact.

“It is an issue that we have addressed and we are working on it.”

Having come back from the deficit that they did showed confidence and belief in the systems that the Sharks have created under coach Sean Everitt.

“Under the poles we spoke about how good our energy levels and intensity were and that’s what got us over the line.

“At the end of the match we could have given away a penalty but we forced them to kick that grubber which is always a fifty-fifty and I guess the ball bounced in our favour that time.”

The Sharks might find that there are many areas to improve on but there were glimpses of brilliance as they ran in five tries against the three of the Stormers. Notshe was happy with how the side muscled up against a physical Stormers outfit.

“Defensively I thought we were good and made a lot of good tackles,” he commented. “We were very disciplined in terms of the new laws.

“There were a lot of positives and there was growth which is what we want to see.”

The Cell C Sharks will face the Lions this Saturday in their second match of the Rainbow Cup SA at Jonsson Kings Park. Kick off is at 4pm.