Sharks coach pleased with grueling win over Lions

Sharks Currie Cup head coach Joey Mongalo says the 29-21 win over the Lions this past weekend was good preparation for the Currie Cup semifinals.

Forced to come from behind in their bonus point victory over the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday, the Cell C Sharks are now well-placed for the final round before the knock-outs.

It was a victory built off character and desire and the players stepped up when called upon to finish off a highly competitive Lions' outfit.

"Highly stressful," was Mongalo's initial reaction following the team's victory.

"The Lions were desperate and they showed it, I must compliment them. They gave us the perfect prep for a semifinal."

It was not the easiest of victories and for parts of the game, the result hung in the balance. But this is a Sharks side riding a wave of confidence, no doubt aided hugely by continuity and the seven game winning streak has handed them the opportunity to remain top of the log at the conclusion of the pool stages. And with that, a home semi-final, and a home final if it comes to that.

"It doesn't get tougher than being 14-nil down, against a team desperate to stay alive in the competition," added Mongalo.

"That was the best practice - and I say that respectfully - that we could have had for a semifinal."

Having fought back from 14-nil down to see out the first half 14 points apiece, Mongalo explained that the half-time talk was all about encouraging the players.

"The message was quite positive, because despite the fact that we didn't play much rugby in the first half, we managed to fight back to 14-all," he continued.

"The talk was about applying what we were supposed to, we should be OK. Aside from being an encouraging message, it was also a challenge posed to them. About how they want the season to play out. That was left in their hands and clearly they decided the right thing."

The never-give-up attitude from the team has been evident throughout the tournament, demonstrated amply in this clash.

"Character and leadership," Mongalo highlighted.

"I think [captain] Reniel Hugo is one of the best men and one of the best leaders I've ever met. So when things get tough on the field, I know that with his quiet leadership, he has a way to get the team still going. We have quite a few guys in that space who help lead the guys on the field.

He added that another factor counting in his team's favour is their passion for the brand.

"There's one thing when you have a team logo, but they show it and live it out. And that's something they have to keep showing for the next few weeks."

With one pool game remaining, against DHL Western Province in Cape Town this weekend, Mongalo admitted that he wants more of the same from his team.

"It's all about keeping momentum and holding on, we understand how the group needs that as a stepping stone to the play-off on 17 June," he said.

"But a semi-final is not in our mind's eye, we know that we have a job to do in Cape Town and those guys will be desperate to get five points to give themselves a chance of making the play-offs."