Sharks dispose of Griquas, stay third on the log
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks managed a well-earned 24-6 win over Griquas in the Currie Cup in Durban on Saturday, but despite their efforts, they remain in third position on the log.
It was yet another game drenched in rain and conditions never really allowed the Sharks to play an expansive game, forcing them to keep it tight and kick for territory more.
The Sharks and visitors, the Griquas, both had 19 points on the log and the win sees the Sharks move to 23 points, but they remain in the same position with the Pumas in second on 29 and the Cheetahs first with 31 points.
The Griquas got the first points on the board through a successful penalty kick by Eddie Fouche, but the Sharks fought back to send Alwayno Visagie over in the 13th minute after the line-out ball was overthrown.
Lionel Cronje hacked it ahead and Visagie won the race to dot down despite desperate efforts by the Griquas’ Johan Mulder to try and get his hand on the ball first.
On the back of another penalty kick by Fouche, the Sharks scored once more before half-time when Kerron van Vuuren forced his way over the tryline from a maul.
The homeside, leading 14-6 at half-time, got some fire in their bellies for the second half despite the wet and rainy conditions, forcing the visitors to defend for 15 minutes before nuggety scrumhalf Bradley Davids got the Sharks’ third try.
The visitors came close to scoring, but their handling let them down at crucial times.
It was not the clinical performance coach Joey Mongalo would have wanted and the absence of someone like regular captain James Venter was definitely felt. He lost some core players to the United Rugby Championsip side and it was not the same performance as last week in their victory over the Cheetahs.
The rain came down again in the last 15 minutes which also hampered both sides’ handling abilities.
Griquas put up a good fight but having to tackle for 80 minutes is draining.
The conditions were wet and windy but the Sharks did enough to bag five points.
Scorers
For the Sharks:
Tries: Visagie, Van Vuuren, Davids
Cons: Cronje 3
Pens: Cronje
For the Griquas:
Pens: Fouche 2
Sharks: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Joshua Jonas, 12 Alwayno Visagie, 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Damon Royle, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Murray Koster.
Griquas: 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14 Sako Makato, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Eddie Fouche, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els, 7 Harnu Sirgel (captain), 6 Stephan Smit, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Johan Retief, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Cebo Dlamini.
Replacements: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Reagan Orange, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Ashlon Davids
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman
