Sharks and Lions share the spoils in Pietermaritzburg

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks XV and Lions’ Currie Cup campaigns took another twist following their thrilling 22-all draw at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.

Both teams knew the magnitude of the clash, with the sides occupying the bottom half of the Currie Cup log and desperately needing a victory to keep their play-off hopes alive.

However, after more than 80 minutes of intense action in Pietermaritzburg, little changed on the log, with the Lions remaining sixth on 15 points and the Sharks XV seventh on 13 points.

The Sharks managed to outscore the Lions four tries to three, but they were unable to keep their opponents at bay in the closing stages of a dramatic fixture.

The result leaves both sides with plenty to do as they look to keep their respective Currie Cup campaigns alive.

It was a horrendous start for the Sharks, with Khuthi Rasivhaga receiving a yellow card after making contact with a player in the air.

Aside from the disciplinary setback, however, the Sharks were sharp at lineout time, with Deon Slabbert producing a well-timed steal.

The Durbanites continued to knock at the door, but a knock-on by Luan Giliomee on the line brought another promising attack to an abrupt end.

Instead, it was the Lions who drew first blood, with Sam Francis slotting a penalty to put his side 3-0 ahead after 15 minutes.

The Sharks made multiple visits inside the Lions’ 22, but handling errors continued to undermine their attacking efforts.

They eventually got their reward in the 30th minute. From a driving maul, captain Ross Braude broke away and nipped around the blindside to score the first try of the match.

Tim Swiel missed the conversion, leaving the Sharks with a slender 5-3 lead.

Braude’s match was cut short when he was forced from the field with a concussion.

It was a tough, physical showdown, and the Lions were next to find the try line.

After multiple phases and showing patience in attack, Vuyo Gwiji powered over from close range. Francis added the conversion to restore the Lions’ lead at 10-5.

With just two minutes remaining in the half, the Sharks rolled the dice and set up a five-metre lineout.

It was another excellent opportunity, with Christie Grobbelaar appearing to find a gap. However, the Lions’ defence held firm and kept the Sharks at bay as they took a narrow 10-5 lead into the break.

The Sharks started the second half like a house on fire.

From a maul, Liam van Wyk broke off and found a gap to score his side’s second try and level matters. Swiel added the conversion to put the Sharks back in front at 12-10.

It was end-to-end stuff from the Sharks. From inside their own 22, the hosts produced some lethal carries, with a brilliant run from Giliomee eventually sending Christie Grobbelaar over in the corner to extend their lead to 17-10.

The Lions knew they had to halt the momentum, and they did just that.

From a rolling maul, Armand Combrinck powered over the line for a try. Francis added the conversion to level the scores at 17-all.

The final quarter was brutal, with both sides throwing everything into the contest.

The Sharks introduced Siya Masuku, while the Lions brought on Ethan Adams, who made two crucial turnovers to swing momentum back in his side’s favour.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Lions’ Guillermo Mentoe made a break and sliced through the Sharks’ defence before sending Latica Nela over the line.

However, a try-saving tackle from Lyle Matthews forced Nela to knock the ball on over the line.

With 10 minutes remaining, Adams broke the line and looked certain to score, but he was hauled down on the 22-metre line.

Instead, it was the Sharks who struck. Meno Barnard powered over from close range after the hosts kept the ball alive and worked their way up the field from inside their own half.

Masuku missed the conversion, leaving the door open for the Lions.

With the clock well into the red, the Lions launched one final attack. They kept the Sharks pinned inside their own 22 and, from a clever loop pass, Adams beat several defenders before sending Guillermo Mentoe over for the try.

Francis missed the conversion, ensuring the scores remained level in a dramatic finish at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Player of the match: Sharks hooker Liam van Wyk put in a solid shift, making several strong carries and scoring a try, while Lions replacement Ethan Adams also deserves a mention after making crucial turnovers and playing a key role in setting up a try. However, our nod goes to Luan Giliomee, who was at the heart of the Sharks’ attack. He carried strongly, made a number of telling runs and played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for his side.

The scorers:

For Sharks XV:
Tries: Braude, Van Wyk, Grobberlaar, Bernard
Con: Swiel

For Lions XV:
Tries: Gwiji, Combrinck, Mentoe
Cons: Francis 2
Pen: Francis

Yellow card: Khuthi Rasivhaga (Sharks, 3 – making contact in the air)

Teams:

Sharks XV: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Lyle Matthews, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Khuthi Rasivhaga, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude (captain), 8 Tino Mavesere, 7 Meno Barnard, 6 Jean-Henri Smit, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Dian Heunis, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Juan Loots, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Albie Bester

Lions:15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Likhona Finca, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Latica Nela, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Zian Cilliers, 8 Renzo du Plessis, 7 Jarod Cairns (captain), 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Siba Qoma, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Armand Combrinck, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Liyema Ntshanga, 18 Siya Dube, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Vuyo Gwiji, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ethan Adams, 23 Luke Cannon.

Referee: Juan de Bod
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC