Sharks power game claims another French scalp for SA
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks claimed another French scalp for South Africa when they edged Bordeaux-Bègles 19-16 at a freezing Stade Chaban-Delmas on Friday.
Trailing 6-10 at half-time, the Springbok-laden Sharks outfit produced a power game of note to take a stranglehold on the game.
Bordeaux played well in the first half and capitalised on a number of mistakes from the Sharks to put together a half-time lead.
But the Sharks proved their class in the second period, and their pack were totally dominant, Werner Kok’s try and the boot of Curwin Bosch putting the points on the board.
For Bordeaux, their Champions Cup spot is in real threat.
For Sharks, a statement of intent.
* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!
Wonderful hands across the back line as @SharksRugby score their first try of the evening in Bordeaux 🤲#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/pAquh89TZh
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 16, 2022
A drop-goal from Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch kept the South African side perfect in European competition in their debut season.
The Sharks, who edged Harlequins in their first-ever Champions Cup match last weekend, took a step toward clinching a home tie in Durban in the knockout rounds as they eked out a victory with a first-half drop-goal by Bosch proving the difference.
Bordeaux took the early initiative as flank Renato Giammarioli pushed by his fellow forwards crossed from a line-out in the seventh minute.
The Sharks were down to 14 men after a fourth-minute yellow card to Werner Kok.
Bosch kept the Sharks in touch and the visitors took the lead when Kok touched down in the corner in the 48th minute.
Bosch finished with 14 points to 11 by a trio of home kickers.
The scorers
For Bordeaux-Bègles
Try: Giammarioli
Con: Gimbert
Pens: Gimbert 2, Holmes
Sharks
Try: Kok
Con: Bosch
Pens: Bosch 3
DG: Bosch
Yellow cards: Werner Kok (Sharks, 4 – foul play, dangerous tackle), Christopher Vaotoa (Bordeaux-Bègles, 77 – repeated infringement, illegally killing the ball at tackle)
Teams
Bordeaux-Bègles: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Geoffrey Cros, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Jules Gimbert, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Antoine Miquel, 6 Renato Giammarioli, 5 Jandré Marais (captain), 4 Cyril Cazeaux, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Lekso Kaulashvili.
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Christopher Vaotoa, 19 Alban Roussel, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Santiago Cordero, 22 Matéo Garcia, 23 Rémi Lamerat.
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazola Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales (England), James Clarke (England)
TMO: Dean Richards (England)
