Sharks coach JP Pietersen proud despite missed opportunities in Lions loss

The Lions snatched a last-gasp 23-22 win at the Shark Tank with an 81st-minute try from Junior Springbok star Haashim Pead. It was a bitterly disappointing end to a match where two of the Sharks' tries were awarded but later disallowed on review, then Jordan Hendrikse missed three conversions.

When you add up all those squandered points, it's difficult to lose by just one after the final hooter. But in speaking to the press after the match, Pietersen didn't look for excuses and claimed his team was on an upward trajectory despite the loss.

"We had two clear try-scoring opportunities," said the 2007 World Cup winner. 

"In hindsight, we take the three points; they miss the kick, and we win. I won't say that is the defining moment of the game. I'm happy we came back into the game from 0-15. I'm proud of the boys for their fightback and the way we played.

"But it's rugby, it's unpredictable, and the local derby is always unpredictable. We must give credit to the Lions. They have been good. When they got opportunities, they used them."

"I also don't think we should point fingers at conversions. We scored tries that were pulled back, and that's potentially 10 points as well. It's not about one player.

"You can just feel [good form] is coming. [The defeat] will take time to process. But like I said, I am proud of the boys. They give everything on the field. The Lions were just better."

It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Sharks. Pietersen's men are on Champions Cup duty for the next two weeks, where they have the difficult prospect of facing the Sale Sharks in England and then hosting Clermont in Durban.