Sharks storm back to sink WP in Durban
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks produced a performance reminiscent of last weekend’s Rugby Championship opener to beat the Western Province 29-21 at Kings Park on Friday.
The Sharks, who trailed 0-14 after 30 minutes, scored 26 unanswered points to lead 26-14 heading into the last quarter of the match. Despite the WP scoring to get back in striking distance, the home team held on to secure the victory.
Handling errors were rife on a wet and slippery night in Durban, with both teams struggling to keep ball in hand.
WP dominated the game in the early stages, taking a 0-14 lead in the first half hour of the contest and looking comfortable.
Repeated pick and goes saw Paul de Villiers cross the try line from out close in the 21st minute for the first points of the contest, with flyhalf Kyle Smith adding the extras to make it 0-7.
Just five minutes later, Ezekiel Ngobeni scored another for the visitors after doing well to follow up on a grubber kick.
But missed tackles and lost lineouts cost them momentum and allowed the Sharks back into the game.
A bit of luck was needed for their first try. A kick through from Jean Smith was half charged down and heading towards the touch line before Tristan Leyds attempted to kick it clear, instead kicking it perfectly for Philo Sobahle to collect and score.
Smith’s kicking was again the source of the second try, with his cross-kick plucked out of the air by Jaco Williams to score in the left corner and narrow the deficit to just two points heading into half-time at 12-14.
In the second half, front rower Phatu Ganyane powered his way over the line from close range to help his side take the lead for the first time in the match at 19-14.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Hlekani crossed the whitewash with another pick and go after some continued pressure, seemingly putting the game out of reach for the men from Cape Town.
But a great run from Tristan Leyds opened up the Sharks’ defence and eventually led to Brendan Venter crossing the line to bring the visitors back to within a score.
While both teams traded blows and penalties in the final 10 minutes, a Jean Smith penalty kept the Sharks out of reach, and they held on for the win.
The victory is the first of the Currie Cup season and sees them leapfrog WP to 7th place.
WP remain winless and find themselves at the foot of the table. They will be desperate for a win in their final two matches to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Man of the Match: My pick goes to Lee-Marvin Mazibuko. The burly prop was strong in his carries and even scored a try, a rare sight for a tighthead.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Sobahle, Williams, Mazibuko, Hlekani
Cons: Smith 3
Pens: Smith 1
For Western Province:
Tries: De Villiers, Ngobeni, Venter
Cons: Smith 2, Brown
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ceano Everson, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee Le Roux, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Drico Marx, 23 Albie Bester
Western Province: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Jared Africa, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Luke Burger, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter (captain), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Cabous Eloff
Replacements: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ronald Brown, 23 Brendan Venter.
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Hanru v Rooyen (South Africa), Caleb Hibbert (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
