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Stellenbosch coach full of praise for his players

rugby02 December 2024 07:20| © Mzansi Football
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Stellenbosch surprised even their coach Steve Barker with their resilience despite a fatigue-inducing week of travel as they stunned Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership on Sunday.

The 1-0 victory for Stellenbosch at the Orlando Stadium, courtesy of Devon Titus’ first half goal, ended the Buccaneers’ 100 per cent start to the new league season and toppled them also from the top of the standings.

Stellenbosch had played in Mali on Wednesday, losing to Stade Malien in the first of their African Confederation Cup group matches and only arrived back in Cape Town on Friday, traveling a lengthy route to and from West Africa via Ethiopia.

They were back on the road again on Saturday to travel to Johannesburg for Sunday’s match but despite the fatigue battled through to upset their hosts.

“These Stellenbosch players just never cease to amaze me in terms of their courage, their bravery, their commitment, their desire, their work rate, their unity and togetherness,” said Barker after the win which lifted his side up into third place on the table.

“We've come up off extremely difficult week travel. We only arrived on Friday in Cape Town and then had to travel yesterday to play against a team that's won seven in a row, that's won on the continent, that's already got a trophy in the bag for the season.

“They were very high in confidence and belief. So for us to come and get a result like we did, all the credit has to go to the players and the effort that they put in, and also my assistant coach, Wesley Sergal, who's the tactician of the team. The way we set up the team, I thought, was superb. So well done to the players. A massive victory for us, back-to-back wins at Orlando Stadium. It's really special,” he enthused.

Barker said he anticipated it would be tough but did not reckon on the reaction from his squad.

“I knew a game like today would be really tough on the players, especially after all the traveling, but I think it just boils down to a young group of players that have a real hunger and a desire to continue to be successful and to continue to grow.

“I don't really always worry too much about the result. I believe, and I know, that if the players are giving 100 per cent, we will get better results more often than not. And I think that's the ethos of the team … to just to continue to give 100 per cent.”

Stellenbosch now turn their focus back to the Confederation Cup where they host last season’s runners-up Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in Durban on Sunday. “Fortunately, the game against Magesi, which was scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed. If it wasn't postponed, can you imagine we would have to go and play away in Polokwane in midweek and then go to Durban.

“But yeah, I just think it's the mindset and the mentality that is growing really strong among the players,” Barker added.

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