Sharks deal hammer blow to Pumas' play-off aspirations
MATCH REPORT: The Pumas’ play-off hopes are hanging by a thread as the Sharks defeated the Mbombela outfit by 19-13 in a Currie Cup arm-wrestle at Kings Park.
The result leaves the Pumas’ fate in the hands of the Bulls, who play the Cheetahs in the final round robin clash of the regular season on Saturday evening.
The Pumas managed to secure a losing bonus point and have a superior points difference to temporarily be in second spot ahead of Saturday’s action.
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The match started with both teams showing a willingness to run with the ball.
The Sharks conceded the first penalty of the match at the scrum, which gave the Pumas a 22 metre entry, but the Sharks stole the line-out to get out of jail.
The Pumas won another penalty, this time for a side entry at a rolling maul against Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, who was also penalised at the scrum earlier.
The Pumas opted for touch and formed the maul, which the Sharks managed to defend before Clinton Swart kicked across the field, but Paschal Ekeji got tackled into touch to give the Pumas another bite at the cherry, but the Sharks turned it over once again.
Jaden Hendrikse knocked the ball on after taking a quick tap penalty, but his forward pack stepped up to win the scrum penalty.
The Sharks opted for the line-out inside the Pumas’ 22 metre area and won a penalty for a no-arms tackle against Eduan Swart.
Referee Griffin Colby called time off and consulted TMO Maruis van der Westhuizen to check for cynical play by Swart, which was deemed by the officials as he was sent to the sin bin in the 13th minute.
After back-and-forth play, the Pumas won a kickable penalty once again for holding on.
The Pumas opted for goal as Clinton Swart slotted the formality in front of the posts to open the scoring after 19 minutes of play.
The visitors regathered a contestable kick and won another penalty for not rolling away in front of the sticks.
Swart stepped up again and doubled his side’s lead in the 23rd minute.
A comedy of errors by both sides led to a Sharks scrum feed from which they won another penalty.
Siya Masuku opted for the corner.
The hosts formed a line-out maul before playing the ball and won another penalty for not rolling away
The Sharks took the quick tap play option and bashed away with their forwards before going wide to Ekeji, who was tackled into touch centimetres from the line by Stefan Coetzee, who made a great effort to get across.
A knock-on by Francois Venter gave the Pumas a great attacking scrum inside the Sharks’ red zone.
They attacked wide to Darren Adonis, who was tackled into touch similarly to Ekeki earlier in the match.
A misfielded crossfield kick by the Pumas brought an end to the first half with the visitors holding a six-point lead.
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A kick in general play by Swart went backwards and provided the Sharks with an attacking opportunity in the second half.
A good inside ball by Masuku to Venter appeared that the Springbok centre was through, but he was stopped short.
The Sharks went wide, but then Batho Hlekane gave the scrum away for an accidental offside play.
Lundi Msenge executed a horrible kick that went backwards, which allowed Siya Masuku to kick in behind for Yaw Penxe, who scored the Sharks’ opening try in the 46th minute. Masuku missed the conversion.
The Pumas won a penalty for offside two minutes later in Sharks territory and opted for the corner.
The visitors formed the maul, but the Sharks defended it well and got the scrum feed.
The Pumas kept fighting, and Ross Braude got over the line, but it was deemed to be held up, despite protests from his team who felt it was grounded.
Stefan Coetzee kicked the ball out on the full, which provided the Sharks with an attacking opportunity, off which they earned a penalty and opted for the line-out.
The Sharks made the Pumas pay for their error as Phepsi Buthelezi barged over the line for his side’s second try in the 59th minute, which Masuku converted.
JJ Scheepers made a wonderful run through the middle of the ruck, which allowed Ross Braude to kick across for Lundi Msenge, who dotted down for the Pumas’ opening try in the 64th minute. Swart slotted the conversion to retake the lead.
The Sharks struck back in the 68th minute when Francois Venter dotted down after a sustained period of attack, which came off a penalty for a late charge by the Pumas. Masuku converted the score.
The hosts closed the game out with simple carries to wind the clock down before Ceano Everson kicked the ball into touch.
Scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Penxe, Buthelezi, Venter
Cons: Masuku 2
For the Pumas:
Try: Msenge
Con: C. Swart
Pens: C. Swart 2
Yellow card: Eduan Swart (Pumas, 13′ – Cynical – no arms tackle without the ball)
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Phikolomzi Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Paschal Ekeji, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Manu Tshituka, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Batho Hlekani, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jaco Williams.
Pumas: 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude (vice captain), 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Hanno Theunissen, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Dewald Maritz.
Replacements: 16 Darnelle Osuagwu, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Junior Banda, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Andre Fouche, 21 Russwill Fredericks, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Andrew Kota.
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Caleb Hibbert
TMO: Marius Jonker
