Playing with Confidence

Today at 04:46 AM

With history, both recent and in the past, playing an important role in the psychology of sport, the Hollywoodbets Sharks will make the trip to Johannesburg this Saturday buoyed by recent form and past results on the highveld.

For Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf/fullback Jordan Hendrikse, defeating the Vodacom Bulls was a huge accomplishment, and the good mental space the team find themselves in bodes well for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Emirates Lions on Saturday.

Looking at takeouts from the Bulls' game going into the double-header against the Lions, Hendrikse explains that, "For us it's taking confidence out of that victory, it's never easy to go to the Highveld and get a win there, but we backed ourselves because of the Currie Cup result when we played the Bulls there [drawing 40-all up at Loftus Versfeld in the semi-final to go through to the Final where they beat the Lions 16-14 at Emirates Airline Park].

"We definitely take that confidence going into the game this weekend and for us, it's about focusing on our game, on what we need to do to achieve the result we want."

The team have had two weeks in which to prepare for Saturday's game and by his reckoning, "it has gone very well.

"We've focused on our job and what we need to do, and for us it's working on certain departments, making sure we prep well and the boys are ready for Saturday's game."

While the focus of any team is always inwards, making sure they are ready and able to successfully implement in the game what's been practiced on the training pitch in the build-up to the match, they always spend time analysing the opposition and developing strategies to both counter the threats, as well as exploit perceived weaknesses.

The Lions are a team that play a similar style to the Hollywoodbets Sharks in that their approach is to play action-packed rugby, the Joburg side bring plenty of energy and look to tire the opposition with a brand of play that exploits the rarified atmosphere that comes with playing at altitude.

"We are expecting a fast-paced game, they will look to run us off our feet," Hendrikse explains.  "For us it's about managing the game, being present at every moment and making sure we do what we must to get the result.

"Looking at the South African Conference, a win is vital this weekend, so for us our focus is on winning."

Locally schooled at Glenwood High School, Durban is home, although he spent four years with the Lions, accruing over 60 caps for the Joburg franchise, before returning to the city where he made a name for himself as a junior.

"I'm blessed to be back here, the weather plays a big part, it's always warm, so it's always a good day of training.

"It's like a family here, it's nice to be back with familiar faces like my brother [Jaden] and that played a big part in me coming back.

"Coming here to play under new coaches, in a new environment and giving my best every day will help me grow as a player."

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