Pietersen score in Sharks win
The five-tries-to-four win came a week ahead of the start of the season at the Woodburn Stadium, in Pietermaritzburg, on Friday.
Pietersen, who was signed from the Cheetahs in the off-season, opened the scoring – after both sides showed good attacking intent early in the game.
He successfully chased his deft grubber through the middle, the ball popping up nicely for him to score under the posts. The veteran utility back, playing at flyhalf, added the extras for an early 7-0 lead.
The Lions were also rewarded for their expansive approach to the game with a try that levelled the scores midway through the first half.
However, the home side went ahead again when wing Charles Mayeza powered his way over with two defenders hanging on. This time the conversion attempted failed – 12-7.
Courtnall Skosan showed his pace to deliver his team's second try. Marnitz Boshoff again converted to give the Lions the lead for the first time in the match on the half-hour mark.
Moments later Skosan streaked down the same flank for the third try, the successful conversion taking the Lions into a 21-12 lead – which they took into the break.
Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold rung the changes at the start of the second half – with only Jean-Luc du Preez and Monde Hadebe remaining from the first half side.
Hadebe was the man in control of the ball as the Sharks drove over early, although referee Stuart Berry awarded a penalty try – with Lionel Cronje converting to bring his team right back into the game early on.
There was the welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit, making his return after months four months on the sideline, following knee surgery.
The first penalty of the match pushed the Lions into a 24-19 lead.
However, burly South African Under-20 prop Thomas du Toit then fed Stefan Ungerer for the fourth try – Cronje converting for a 26-24 lead.
With their tails up, the Sharks visibly grew in confidence.
After the Lions had knocked the ball on in their 22, a powerful Sharks scrum laid the platform for the attack with Sibusiso Sithole powering over in the corner to stretch their lead to 33-24, after Cronje converted from out wide.
The Lions, stung by the two tries from the home side managed, to strike back right from the kick-off with a driving try that brought them back to within four points.
However, the Sharks managed to hang on for the win – 33-29.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Pietersen, Mayeza, Penalty try, Ungerer, Sithole
Cons: Pietersen 2, Cronje 2
For the Golden Lions:
Tries: Booysen, Skosan 2, Kriel
Cons: Boshoff 3
Pen: Boshoff
Teams:
Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Charles Mayeza, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Alcino Izaacs, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements – from: Juan Schoeman, Franco Marais, Thomas du Toit, Wiehan Hay, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Kleinhans, Dave McDuling, Christiaan de Bruin, Stefan Ungerer, Lionel Cronje, Sibusiso Sithole, Heimar Williams, Wandile Mjekevu, Odwa Ndungane, Garth April, Gerhard Engelbrecht, JC Astle, Tonderai Chavhanga.
Golden Lions squad: Justin Ackermann, Fabian Booysen, Marnitz Boshoff, Ruan Combrinck, Ross Cronje, Stephan de Wit, Ruan Dreyer, Lourens Erasmus, Nicolaas Hanekom, Alwyn Hollenbach, Lohan Jacobs, Jaco Kriel (captain), Ruaan Lerm, Luvuyiso Lusaseni, Malcolm Marx, Sampie Mastriet, Howard Mnisi, Martin Muller, Jacques Nel, Mark Pretorius, Julian Redelinghuys, Ricky Schroeder, Courtnall Skosan, Albertus Smith, Jaco van der Walt, Jacques van Rooyen, Anthony Volmink, Harold Vorster, Vainon Willis.
Referee: Stuart Berry
