Sharks tame Lions in Durban
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks uphold their unbeaten Currie Cup run with a 37-21 win over the Golden Lions in a very wet Durban on Saturday.
Despite the wet weather conditions, the game saw seven tries scored four belonging to the Sharks and three to the Golden Lions.
The result sees the Sharks move to the top of the Currie Cup log.
While the Golden Lion stumbled to their second consecutive defeat.
Despite the end result, the Golden Lions dominated possession and territory in the opening stages of the game, but it was the Sharks who were first on the board thanks to an easy penalty kick by Sharks flyhalf Robert Du Preez.
The visitors stuck to their expansive attacking brand of rugby and were eventually rewarded when Shaun Reynolds’s perfectly timed chip kick was collected by Sylvian Mahuza, who strolled over the chalk for the opening try of the match. Reynolds made no mistake to add the extras for the 7-3 lead.
The Golden Lions’ lead shocked the hosts into action as they took control of proceedings.
With powerful carries, they made their way inside the Lions’ 22 and soon had a penalty advantage. However, instead of going for the five points the hosts opted for the posts and again Robert Du Preez made no mistake to bring the side closer within just one point.
Just after the 20th-minute mark, the Sharks regain the lead as Robert Du Preez added his third successful penalty, which was followed by an impressive try by Dan Du Preez, who managed to round off a move, he instigated at the scrum.
Older brother Robert Du Preez made no mistake to add the extras, 16-7.
As the match approached the halfway mark, the Sharks piled on the pressure, from the scrum Dan Du Preez picked up the ball and linked up with Schreuder, who burst his way over near the posts – handing Robert Du Preez an easy conversion.
It went from bad to worse for the Golden Lions as their ill-discipline were amplified when were when lock Marvin Orie was given a yellow card after he made contact with Hyron Andrews’s face.
The last action of the first half saw Sharks extend their lead, former Western Province player Luke Stringer powered over the line. Robert Du Preez added the extras for the 30-7 lead at the break.
Sharks picked up where their left off, Robert Du Preez got the second half underway and the side retain the ball. However, they were denied an early second-half try when a pass to Jeremy Ward was ruled forward by the TMO in only the second minute.
Eventually, the Sharks had the bonus-point try after scrumhalf Schreuder’s sneaky pass found Dan Du Preez, who burst over the line for his second try of the match.
Robert Du Preez added the extra for the 37-7 lead.
As the intensity of the rain increased, the Golden Lions gradually worked themselves into the match. They utilize the driving maul and were rewarded with five points as James Venter dived over the line. From a very acute angle, Reynolds managed to kick over the conversion, 14-37 after 60 minutes.
The Golden Lions concluded the game on a good note as they bagged their third try when a quick line-out throw resulted in a brilliant try by youngster Wandisile Simelane. Springbok Andries Coetzee added the extras.
It was a dramatic end, as the Golden Lions had an attacking five-metre line-out, however, the side failed to hold onto the ball and Sharks claimed the bonus-point victory.
Man of the match: There were loads of heroes for the Sharks. Robert Du Preez boasts with a 100 percent kicking accuracy, while Louis Schreuder was also instrumental in wet weather conditions. However, our man of the match goes to Daniel du Preez, who scored two tries and as usual was solid in defence.
The Scorers:
For Sharks:
Tries: D Du Preez 2, Schreuder, Stringer
Cons: R Du Preez 4
Pens: R Du Preez 3
For Golden Lions
Tries: Mahuza, Venter, Simelane
Cons: Reynolds 2, Coetzee
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 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Ruben van Heerden, 19 Jacques Vermeulen, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Sibusiso Nkosi, 22 Aphelele Fassi.
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje (captain), 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Reinhard Nothnagel, 19 Driaan Bester, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Gianni Lombard, 22 Wandisile Simelane.
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Blake Beattie
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
