Sharks outmuscle error-prone Bulls
CURRIE CUP REPORT: The Sharks started their campaign with an impressive 26-10 demolition of the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday.
The home team outscored the error-prone visitors by four tries to one.
The Sharks were simply better at everything – their set pieces, their work on defence, the numbers at the breakdown and most of all their composure.
The Bulls’ woes were epitomised by the performances of their star players – like Springboks discard Jesse Kriel, who had the kind of nightmare performance that will have him drop further down the Bok pecking order, rather than work him back towards the starting XV.
The Sharks were first on the board – a great break, then chip and chase from Curwin Bosch, before the ball was recycled through numerous phases. Prop Juan Schoeman eventually barged his way over the tryline for the opening score. Robert du Preez converted for a 7-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes.
The Bulls did pull back with a penalty a few minutes later and then Jessie Kriel was the man in possession when the Bulls scored their first try on the quarter-hour mark – for the visitors to take the lead.
The game came alive in thrilling fashion after the first quarter.
The Sharks held out a fierce Bulls raid – which ended in an error by the visitors.
Louis Schreuder took the ball upfield and then waited for support, finding it in the form of Curwin Bosch, who was too quick for the retreating defence. Du Preez added the conversion to put the Sharks back in the lead.
The Bulls’ high error rate cost them dearly, as they would work their way into dangerous positions, only to lose the ball on attack.
It was after a period of sustained possession, albeit not making inroads, before the ball was sent out wide to Kobus van Wyk – who danced his way down the touchline, evading defenders before scoring the Sharks’ third try.
Du Preez converted for a 21-10 lead – which is how it stayed to the half-time break.
Within a matter of seconds of being on the field and in his first touch of the ball in Currie Cup rugby, Aphelele Fassi latched on to a loose ball – after the Bulls had once again lost the ball forward on attack. Cameron Wright had sent it upfield and the Bulls defence couldn’t contain the ball.
That was the end of the scoring, but not through a lack of trying from both teams – the Bulls continuing to be their own worst enemies.
Man of the match: Johnny Kotze was the one Bulls back that caused the Sharks some problems, Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Thembelani Bholi, Hendre Stassen worked very hard among the forwards. Curwin Bosch had some impressive runs, Robert du Preez had his moments, while Tyler Paul and Hyron Andrews were the most productive among the forwards. However, the man that directed play best was Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder – with his kicking game causing the Bulls plenty of headaches.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Schoeman, Bosch, Van Wyk, Fassi
Cons: R du Preez 3
For the Blue Bulls:
Try: Kriel
Con: Libbok
Pen: Libbok
* Listen as the @rugby365 team unpacks the weekend’s matches!
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi.
Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Eli Snyman, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Raegan Oranje, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 JT Jackson.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Christie du Preez
* CURRIE CUP DOCUMENTARY: What was once South Africa’s premier tournament, has now become a ‘development’ event. rugby365 decided to go back to where it all began over a century ago and see why this tournament was the most revered and where this venerable and celebrated trophy comes from.
