Mapimpi scores four as Sharks book semifinal spot

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks booked their place in the semifinals with a 75-19 win over the Griffons at Kings Park on Saturday.

Fresh from the Springboks squad, Makazole Mapimpi scored four of his team’s 11 tries in the Round Nine encounter.

[To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!]

The win means the Sharks remain third on the Currie Cup standings with 31 points – six points clear of Cheetahs with just one round to go before the semifinals.

For Griffons, it was another tough day at the office. They scored three tries which included a Willem van der Hever brace.

They have certainly produced some noteworthy performances, scoring some great tries and pushing teams to their limits.

However, their defence was their downfall throughout the season and look set to conclude with the wooden spoon.

An extremely strong and experienced Sharks team took to the field. They made nine changes and head coach John Plumtree took over the reins from JP Pietersen as Currie Cup coach.

Pietersen, who has done a sterling job as the Currie Cup mentor, returned to his Under-21 duties.

It was a sublime start for the host, from the kick-off, a dreadful bounce saw Makazole Mapimpi score the first try of the match.

In less than two minutes, Jordan Hendrikse on debut for Sharks, made a line break before eventually recollecting possession and cruising over the line. Lionel Cronje added the extras for the 14-0 lead.

Griffons hit back in the ninth minute.  After multiple penalties, the visitors opted for the touch and hooker Willem van der Hever powered over the line at the back of the maul. Qamani Kota added the conversion from an acute angle.

It was promising from the Griffons. However, the Sharks were far too superior and thanks to a strong scrum followed by quick hands Mapimpi found a gap and scored his brace. 21-7 after 20 minutes.

Griffons’ livewire wing Gurshwin Wehr was handed a yellow card just before the Sharks scored their bonus point try.

Cronje’s perfectly timed pass found Eduan Keyter who strolled over the line.

Cronje missed the conversion but made up for it as the 35-year-old backed himself and outpaced the formers BlitzBok star Dewald Human for the five-pointer. The flyhalf converted his try,  giving the Sharks a 33-7 lead.

With only 28 minutes on the clock, Springbok Mapimpi bagged his hat-trick after some horrendous defence by Griffons. 40-7

The Sharks were scoring tries with ease, however, the Griffons had the last say at half-time.

They produced a brave attack with backline players like Wehr and Kyle Cyster making valuable metres with their pace before Van der Hever eventually dived over for his second after selling an incredible dummy.

The Sharks were the first team on the board, Hendrikse made a strong run and then sent Keyter on his way to score. Cronje added the conversion.

Just short of the hour mark the wing bagged his hat-trick. Cronje kicked the two points for the 54-12 lead.

Sharks did not take their foot off the gas and after some great offloads, Francois Venter dived over for the ninth try of the match.

Replacement Siya Masuku added the conversion, making it 61-12.

With the Griffons looking a little tired, Sharks took full advantage and with some slick handling,  Mapimpi dotted over for his fourth try, while Emmanuel Tshituka also joined the try fest for a five-pointer on debut.

However, it was the Griffons who finished strong, Human’s inside ball found Wehr, who sidestepped his way past defenders for the marvellous consolation try.

The last round before the play-off phase sees Griffons travel to Johannesburg to take on Lions and Sharks will host the Bulls at Kings Park in Durban.

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: Mapimpi 4, Hendrikse, Keyter 3, Cronje, Venter, E. Tshituka
Cons: Cronje 6, Masuku 4

For Griffons
Trues: Van der Hever 2, Wehr
Cons: Kota 2

Yellow cards: Gurshwin Wehr (Griffons, 22 – deliberate knock down), Moango Ngundue (Griffons, 27 – deliberate knock down)

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne’ Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Braam Reynecke.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester.

Griffons: 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Qamani Kota, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Dewald Human, 8 Mingo Piti, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Jared Kruger, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Matthew Gray, 3 Moango Ngundue, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Xolani Jacobs.
Replacements – from: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Edwin Nxumalo, 19 Wikus Niewenhuis, 20 Rian Olivier, 21 Calla Pienaar, 22 Keegan Schaefer, 23 Cheslin Arendse, 24 Joshua Paris, 25 David Bunduki, 26 Gilroy Philander.

Referee: Paul Mente
TMO: Egon Seconds