Mavesere scores four as Sharks hammer Bulls
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks XV ended the league phase of the 2026 Currie Cup season with a 53-22 win over the Bulls XV at Kings Park in Durban.
The bonus-point win puts the Sharks in fourth spot, but it’s a precarious position.
They will lose that semifinal spot if the Pumas beat the Cheetahs on Saturday or if Boland knock over Griquas on Sunday.
Loose forward Tino Mavesere scored four of the Sharks’ nine tries in Friday’s win over the Bulls.
The home side took advantage of the Bulls’ ill-discipline, with Mavesere going over for a try in the fifth minute off the back of a driving maul before he got his second in the 12th minute with a strong carry.
The Bulls finally got their game going, and after sustained pressure, Kebotile Maake crashed over for a try.
However, the Sharks hit back immediately with captain Ross Braude running in for a try after a great break and assist by Luan Giliomee.
The bonus point was secured in the 29th minute when Tim Swiel glided through the Bulls defence to score a five-pointer.
Mavesere scored his third try in the 32nd minute after bashing his way through tacklers once again.
Just before the break, Braude scored his second try, and at half-time it was 36-7.
The Sharks applied plenty of pressure at the start of the second half. However, the Bulls opened the scoring with Marnus Rademeyer’s try after a counterattack.
The home side’s lead got cut again when Brooklyn Newman finished off a well-worked attack in the 60th minute.
Just when it looked like the Bulls were gaining momentum, the star of the show, Mavesere, burst through the Bulls’ defence again to score his fourth try.
The Bulls managed to score another try via Lavela Pongolo before replacement hooker Jacques Marais got a double for the Sharks.
Man of the match: The award must go to Sharks flank Tino Mavesere, who was impressive with ball in hand and, of course, his four tries.
The scorers:
For Sharks XV:
Tries: Mavesere 4, Braude 2, Swiel, Marais 2
Cons: Giliomee 4
For Bulls XV
Tries: Maake, Rademeyer, Newman, Pongolo
Con: Van der Merwe
Teams:
Sharks XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Hanu Pieterse, 7 Meno Bernard, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Albie Bester
Bulls XV: 15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Ruan Enslin, 13 Marnus Rademeyer, 12 Christiaan Vlok, 11 Riyaad Bam, 10 Ian Van der Merwe, 9 Keagan Johannes, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Cephas van Biljon, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Heinrich Theron, 4 Johnathan Eloff, 3 Arno Gustafson, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Sandi Msengana.
Replacements: 16 Jaundrè Schoeman, 17 Damian Baker, 18 Duwan Potgieter, 19 Jacques Swarts, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Dieter Schubert, 22 Brooklyn Newman, 23 Lavela Pongolo.
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Assistant referees: Lulutho Matomela, Caleb Hibbert
TMO: Quinton Immelman
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