Sharks on the move
The Sharks outscored the Kings by five tries to two at a cold and windy Nelson Mandela Stadium, in Port Elizabeth.
The Kings were in a boyant mood after their draw with the defebnding Currie Cup champion Golden Lions in Johannesburg last week.
However, the Sharks XV – who had a slow start to the season and also lost their last two matches – recorded their this win of the season to move into the top 10 on the standings.
The home side got off to n imptressive start and openbed the scoring – flyhalf Garrick Mattheus kicking a penalty and scoring a try.
Marcel Coetzee (Sharks) and Mattheus exchagbned penalties, before Khaya Majola scored the Sharks' first try.
Mattheus punished the Sharks with a third pebnalty, before Ruan Botha crashed over for the Sharks'second try.
The Kings were reduced to 14 men when hooker Martin Bezuidenhout was yellow-carded on the stroke of half-time for going off his feet.
Despite being a man down, Mattheus stretched the Kings' lead agaibn.
The Sharks eventually hit the lead in the 46th minute, when flyhalf Heimar Williams went over.
Fullback Alrin Eksteen scored the Sharks' fourth try in the 50th minute.
Scrumhalf Francwa Ueckermann pulled a try back for the Kings with just over 10 minutes remaining, but the Sharks wrapped up the bonus-point win with a try from right wing Wandile Mjeveku in the 75th minute.
The scorers:
For the Eastern Province Kings:
Tries: Mattheus, Ueckermann
Cons: Mattheus 2
Pens: Mattheus 4
Sharks XV:
Tries: Majola, Botha, Williams, Eksteen, Mjekevu
Cons: Coetzee 3
Pen: Coetzee
Teams:
Eastern Province Kings: 15 Michael Brink, 14 Athi Mayinje, 13 Somila Jho, 12 Riaan Esterhuizen, 11 Lindelwe Zungu, 10 Garrick Mattheus, 9 Franswa Ueckermann, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Sintu Manjezi (captain), 6 Juan Jonck, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Mthetheleli Fuzani, 3 Louis Albertse, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Liam Hendricks.
Replacements: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 Mzu Sofisa, 18 Stephan Zaayman, 19 Lusanda Badiyana, 20 Rouche Nel, 21 Siphu Msutwana, 22 Ivan-John du Preez.
Sharks: 15 Alrin Eksteen, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Nkululeko Marwana, 11 Marcel Coetzee, 10 Heimar Williams, 9 Hanco Venter, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Christiaan de Bruin, 6 Khaya Majola (captain), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Wian Vosloo, 20 Francois Kleinhans, 21 Dylan Marcus, 22 Kelvin Elder.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
TMO: Christie du Preez
