JP Pietersen: Sharks’ URC season 'hugely disappointing' after playoff hopes end in Scotland

The Durban side's loss in Scotland confirmed they will finish outside the playoff places for another season, leaving them 10th on the table with two matches still to play against Benetton and Zebre at Kings Park.

Despite being mathematically within reach of the top eight, Pietersen conceded the reality is clear.

"The top eight is out of reach now, and by our standards to finish outside of the top eight is hugely disappointing," he said.

The defeat in Edinburgh followed a familiar pattern for the Sharks, who showed early promise but were undone by costly lapses in concentration. Edwill van der Merwe opened the scoring and Vincent Koch's second-half try helped them into a 21â-14 lead, raising hopes of an away win.

However, momentum swung in the final quarter as Edinburgh capitalised on Sharks errors, scoring three unanswered tries to take control of the contest.

"At times we didn't manage the game well. We gave away soft penalties and easy exits in our half," Pietersen said. "When we got the ball, we didn't kick it out, which would have given us control. We kept it in play which put us under pressure."

The loss was further complicated by the early exit of scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who suffered a concussion in the first half.

"Losing Jaden in the first half was difficult," Pietersen added. "Someone with his experience and game management would have been important for us."

The Sharks did salvage two bonus points through a late Vincent Tshituka try, but the damage had already been done in a campaign that has struggled for consistency.

Pietersen has now overseen seven wins from 14 matches since taking charge in December, while the Sharks' overall URC record stands at just six wins from 16 games this season - all of them at home.

Their poor away form has mirrored their wider struggles in Europe, where they finished fifth in their Champions Cup pool before dropping into the Challenge Cup and losing 29â-12 to Connacht in Galway.

A narrow defeat to Ospreys the previous week added to the frustration, with Pietersen believing both matches on tour were winnable.

"We are learning as a group. This group is learning to win," he said. "My job is to get these players to believe and to convert these opportunities into winning games." 

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