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Jimmy Stonehouse (Gallo Images)
- Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse held back tears after his troops’ magnificent second-half performance against the Bulls at Loftus.
- Adding to the excitement is the fact that he once again had to tell his brave and dedicated group of players that they are worthy of competing at this level.
- Stonehouse praised the passion of number 8 Willie Engelbrecht, who stood out despite the tragedy of his father’s death hours before kickoff.
Jimmy Stonehouse was so proud of his Pumas’ second-half performance against the Bulls, champions of Super Rugby Unlocked on Saturday, that he attended the post-game press conference with teary eyes.
The Lowvelders were indeed a transformed team during the final 40 minutes of the tough game at Loftus, which ended 21-5 in favor of the hosts, as they kept Jake White’s troops scoreless while scoring a well-crafted attempt from their own. .
“Going out for the second half and facing them with everything we had was one of the most incredible things I’ve seen in a long time,” Stonehouse said, clearly holding back more tears.
The Pumas rugby director made no secret of the emotion that performance implied.
After falling behind 21-0 at halftime, he admitted his players were near despair and plagued with doubt, an understandable response to a campaign that has been high on dedication and little payoff.
“You know what, you’re constantly ‘fighting’ with the players, constantly trying to show them that they can do this. They can compete at this level,” Stonehouse said.
“It’s difficult to be a so-called smaller team. You have things where you have to show the players that they are better than they really think they are. Sometimes it’s difficult.
“Standing in that locker room at halftime and listening to what the players were saying, I told them bluntly: ‘Guys, what I hear you say scares me.’ Sometimes the things that are said in a halftime talk are not nice to hear.
“But boy, did they respond magnificently.”
One of the most impressive sights was the herd of Pumas facing off against their acclaimed counterparts and possibly finishing marginally on top at the end of the proceedings.
“We will definitely get a lot of encouragement from that second half before the Currie Cup,” Stonehouse said.
However, no man exemplified the spirit of the Cougars better than the eighth Willie Engelbrecht.
The 28-year-old bravely decided to stay involved just hours after he tragically lost his father and former stalwart on the rugby scene at Bulls club Buks in a car accident Friday night.
And his display oozed with passion when he left Bulls star Arno Botha stunned with a massive collision and transfer.
“Willie plays this kind of rugby week after week. It’s amazing to see him act this way,” Stonehouse said.
“We have worked hard in the last two weeks to channel this aggression in a positive way and without conceding penalties. He is doing well.
“His decision to play was, frankly, inspiring. I’m pretty sure he told his day today, ‘Dad, I hope you’re proud of what you saw.’
