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Sharks edge out Jaguares

Both sides managed to dot down on three occasions in a match that was by no means a free-flowing aware. Both sides were guilty of handling errors and erratic passes that contributed to the stop-start affair.

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It was a blistering start by the Sharks as captain Philip van der Walt grabbed the game's opening try in the second minute. Curwin Bosch added the extras to take a 7-0 lead.

Sharks scrumhalf Michael Claassens was shown a yellow card in the 22nd minute when he impeded the run of Ramiro Moyano inside the Sharks' half.

Nicolas Sanchez and Bosch then added two penalties each as the Sharks led 13-6 after 25 minutes but the Jaguares levelled matters in the 28th minute when fullback Joaquin Tuculet rounded off a flowing move and Sanchez converted to see the score move to 13-13.

The Jaguares had their tails up and added another try in the 35th minute when outside centre Matias Orlando crashed over from close range. Sanchez' conversion ensured a 20-13 lead. But the Sharks were level two minutes later when Etienne Oosthuizen rounded off an attack sparked by fullback Rhyno Smith.

Bosch's conversion took the score to 20-20 after 37 minutes.

Sanchez had the chance to hand the home side the lead with a late penalty but his effort hit the upright and was subsequently booted into touch.

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It was a scrappy start to the second half as handling errors and poor passing was the order of the day. However, the Sharks hit the front in the 52nd minute when Coenie Oosthuizen sent Thomas du Toit into a massive gap in the Jaguares defence.

He sprinted away to dot down next to the upright. Bosch added the extras to ensure a 27-20 lead.

Bosch then added another penalty in the 60th minute, only for the Jaguares to hit back with their third try. Joaquin Tuculet hoisted a high kick and managed to regain possession as he rose above Bosch.

He offloaded to Bautista Ezcurra who raced away to score in the corner. Juan Martin Hernández failed with the conversion as the home side trailed 25-30.

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Bosch landed the final blow as the final hooter went to maintain their unbeaten record in Argentina.

Man of the match: Joaquin Tuculet was dangerous when he got the ball while the combination of Matias Orlando and Jeronimo De La Fuente worked well. Nicolas Sanchez kept his side on the front foot with some strong carries and accurate kicking. Philip van der Walt worked hard and did all he could to keep his players' discipline in check while Curwin Bosch's boot remains a threat. Rhyno Smith has taken his chance at fullback after another solid all-round display and gets our award.

Scorers:

For the Jaguares:

Tries: Tuculet, Orlando, B Ezcurra

Cons: Sanchez 2

Pens: Sanchez 2

For the Sharks:

Tries: van der Walt, E Oosthuizen, du Toit

Cons: Bosch 3

Pens: Bosch 4

Yellow card: Michael Claassens (Sharks, 22 – impeding the run of an opponent)

Teams:

Jaguares: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Bautista Ezcurra, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Rodrigo Baez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Marcos Kremer, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Lucas Noguera.

Replacements: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Benjamin Macome, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Juan Martin Hernández, 23 Matias Moroni.

Sharks: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Johan Deysel.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa), Damian Schneider (Argentina)

TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)

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