As much as Hollywoodbets coach John Plumtree was frustrated after his side lost an 18-3 lead to go down to the Emirates Lions 20-18 in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match in Durban on Saturday, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
But to get over the issues that are plaguing the Durban side as they sit rooted to the bottom of the URC table, Plumtree singled out the leadership group and decision-making as the side lost their big lead, then failed to grab the win at the end from a kick from Boeta Chamberlain, which would have stolen it back.
It is clear that there are deeper problems in the Durban franchise, and Plumtree’s arrival and trying to change the culture of the side has been a struggle for the coach with many of their losses coming from games they should have closed out before the end.
Plumtree was adamant that the leadership group - which includes World Cup winners like Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi and others - should have stepped up to close the game out.
Etzebeth could hardly be blamed - he gave an impressive performance and easily won the man of the match award, also grabbing the final penalty that offered the Sharks a chance of redemption.
But it wasn’t enough and Plumtree made no bones about his disappointment, especially in the leadership of the team.
“Our decision-making was terrible tonight. Again, that’s going to have to go down to the leaders. I don’t know what’s going to excite the boys but all I know is that Monday comes around and we go again.” he said.
“There just seems to be something that goes missing in the 80 minutes that allows the opposition back in or poor moments that allow the opposition to capitalise.
“Those soft moments are crucial; we have lost so many close games this season, that’s the hardest thing to take. We can’t close off a game
Plumtree said the search for answers to the problems would continue, but it is clear that he is frustrated at watching top international players struggle to do their core duties in a franchise that has more Springboks than any other.
“To pretty much give the match away like that, we certainly have a few problems that we’re going to have to look at. Without being too disrespectful to the Lions, they put us under pressure, but we didn’t help ourselves either,” he said.
“Every coach feels under pressure when you’re going through a patch like this, it’s perfectly natural. We’re all working real hard and we’re trying our best.
“Like always, I look at myself first and ask what I could’ve done better, but I’m disappointed with that second half.
“There’s something going on with the group … and we all feel it. We felt good and felt good all week, but under pressure we didn’t respond well, and our decision-making under pressure was terrible tonight, and it’s going to have to go down to the leaders.”
The Sharks have a chance of getting it right as they face French side Oyannax in the EPCR Challenge Cup this weekend. After losing in Bloemfontein to the Toyota Cheetahs, the Sharks need the win to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot, and at home would normally be considered heavy favourites.
Depending on what team Oyannax sends for the game, they should still be considered that.