Fourteen-man Sharks end Pumas' unbeaten run
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks’ impressive defensive effort in the second half made sure they record a 19-12 win over the Pumas at Kings Park on Friday.
The Sharks went down to 13 men when Corne Rahl (red card) and Dian Bleuler (yellow card) were given their marching orders in the 49th minute when the hosts were leading 16-7.
However, they managed to survive the Pumas’ late surge and secure the victory.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
Tiaan Fourie scored teh Sharks’ try and Fred Zeilinga added 14 points – a conversion and four penalties – to the tally.
The Sharks rushed to a 13-0 lead, leaving the defending Currie Cup champion shell-shocked.
The hosts got on the board after just four minutes when Fred Zeilinga handed his team a 3-0 lead.
The Sharks soon added to their lead. They set up a line-out which was backed up by great carries by the pack and eventually got scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie over the line.
Zeilinga added the conversion and followed it with a penalty for the 13-0 lead.
The next quarter was a really scrappy affair with both teams failing to hold onto the ball.
The Sharks used their scrums as their main attacking weapon and were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty. Zeilinga had no problem striking for 16 points.
Just before the break, the Pumas had two chances and on both occasions set up a line-out inside the oppotioons’ half. However, failed to convert and headed to the break trailing 0-16.
The Pumas came out in the second half with pure intent. They enjoyed more possession and set up a maul which eventually resulted in a penalty try.
The Pumas might have fancied their chances when the Sharks went down to 13 men.
But despite being two men down the Sharks showed great character. They managed to keep the Pumas on the backfoot and were rewarded with a penalty for a 19-7 lead.
The Pumas gradually got into the match. At the back of relentless maul Llewellyn Classen powered over the line for the try.
However, they ran out of time and had to settle for their first defeat of the season.
Man of the match: Sharks centre Murray Koster deserves a mention. James Venter and Thembelani Bholi also put in noteworthy performances. However, our nod goes to Sharks flyhalf Fred Zeilinga, who kept his team in the contest with some great kicking.
The scorers:
For Sharks:
Try: Fourie
Con: Zeilinga
Pens: Zeilinga 4
For Pumas:
Try: Penalty try, Classen
Con: Penalty try does not require a conversion
Yellow card: Dian Bleuler (Sharks 49 – cynical foul)
Red card: Corne Rahl (Sharks, 49 – dangerous play. head-to-head contact)
Sharks: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 James Venter, 7 Corne Rahl, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Weihahn Herbst, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Tinotenda Mavesere, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Josh Jonas.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Etienne Taljaard, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Jade Stinghling, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Francois Kleinhans, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 PJ Jacobs, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Juice Gumede, 19 Malembe Mpofu, 20 Ruwald van der Merwe, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Stefan Coetzee.
Referee: Paul Mente
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman
