Player Ratings: Playing second fiddle

OPINION: Yet again the Sharks had to settle for second-best during the Currie Cup final.

The Sharks headed into the match as underdogs and from the outset, they were dominated by a rampant Bulls team, who recorded a 44-10 win on Saturday.

In a repeat of last season’s Currie Cup final, the Dubantites again had to watch Jake Whites’ men lift the converted trophy.

Check out the Player Ratings below:

15 Curwin Bosch
Huge pressure on Bosch to perform given his performance at flyhalf during last year’s Currie Cup final. He made a couple of runs but failed to make an impact and missed a couple of tackles.
4/10

14 Yaw Penxe
It was a quiet game for the wing and could not express his attacing prowess. Defensively he failed to cope with the lethal runners of the Bulls.
4/10

13 Werner Kok
One of the team’s powerful runners of the day, he managed to go over the advantage line on a couple of occasions. However, his partnership with Jeremy Ward on defence was problematic as it was exploited by the likes of Harold Voster and Lionel Mapoe. The centre escaped a potential yellow card for a no arms tackle in the first half, however, he was not that lucky in the second half as he was handed a yellow card in the closing minutes of the match.
3/10

12 Jeremy Ward
The centre was a late change to the starting XV. One flaw that stands out is his missed tackle which led to Bulls’ centre Harold Voster opening try of the match. The centre gradually worked his way into the game and made a crucial steal inside his own 22.
3/10

11 Thaakir Abrahams
Did not enjoy much of the ball but when he had possession he looked for space. He almost came close to scoring. However, Cornal Hendricks made a try-saving tackle and halted his chances.
5/10

10 Lionel Cronje
Not one of his best moments. The veteran struggled to get into the thick of things and his decision-making and execution also lacked at times.
4/10

9 Sanele Nohamba
The scrumhalf failed to add energy to proceedings and on a couple of occasions, his service from the base was just too slow. He conceded a crucial penalty after being caught offside in Sharks’  five-metre which resulted in the Bulls’ third try being scored by Marcel Coetzee.
4/10

8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain)
The 22-year-old captain was for the vast majority of the game really quiet. Going head to head with Marcel Coetzee, the Sharks skipper’s inexperience was evident. He missed a couple of tackles including the miss which saw Coetzee power over him for the try.
4/10

7 Henco Venter
He had a slow start but improved his workrate after the break. Nonetheless, it was not good enough and he failed to dominate the breakdowns.
5/10

6 Dylan Richardson
He was far from a breakdown threat and could not cope with the Bulls’ loose trio. Made one or two carries but nothing really impressive. It was just too much to ask from the 22-year-old.
5/10

5 Gerbrandt Grobler
His workrate was admirable but did not make a huge impact. He had trouble in the line-out and conceded a couple of penalties.
5/10

4 Le Roux Roets
He failed to make the strong carries that have characterized his play since joining the Sharks last year. Also had two crucial knock-ons in the last 10 minutes of the match – not one of his best outings.
6/10

3 Thomas du Toit
Returning from the Springboks team, currently, in Australia for the Rugby Championship, the seasoned prop put in another solid outing. He made several big hits and won a scrum penalty in the 37th minute. He scored his team’s only try, certainly one of the best performers in the Sharks setup.
7/10

2 Kerron van Vuuren
His workrate was okay, however failed to find his line-out jumpers on a couple of occasions – certainly one game he will rather forget.
5/10

1 Khwezi Mona.
Was virtually anonymous throughout his time on the field. He was under huge pressure at scrum time and was monstered by the Bulls’ Mornay Smith.
3/10

Replacements:

16 Dan Jooste, (On for Van Vuuren, 68th minute)
He managed to find his line-out jumpers, but similar to the others from the bench he entered a match already won by the Bulls.

4/10

17 Ntuthuko Mchunu (on for Du Toit, 67th minues)
He had big shoes to fill and despite valiant efforts did not make an impact.
4/10

18 Khutha Mchunu (not used)

19 Thembelani Bholi (on for Venter, 62nd minute)
The flank tried to look for work, but did not have much success.
4/10

20 Reniel Hugo (on for Grobler, 58th minute)
Looked full energy when he entered the field and made a noteworthy impact.
5/10

21 Lucky Dlepu ( on for Nohamba, 78th minute)
Not enough time to be rated

22 Murray Koste (on for Ward, 67nd minutes)
Not enough time to be rated

23 Anthony Volmink (on for Cronje, 69th minute)
Made one run from his own 22, but overall not enough time to make an impact.