Sharks back on track with victory over URC champs

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks are back to winning ways after a quality performance to beat the United Rugby Champions, the Glasgow Warriors 28-22 in Durban on Saturday.

The Springbok-riddled Sharks started strong, but the Warriors managed to sneak in two late tries to bag two bonus points.

In the first ten minutes, the Glasgow Warriors were in demand, standing up in defence against the big names of the Sharks and quickly advanced into the Sharks’ 22.

The Sharks survived the early onslaught and worked their way back up-field.

The home side managed to get on the scoreboard first through Jordan Hendrikse’s boot.

Then George Horn opened up the scoring after some smart support play by the Warriors and it was successfully converted by Horn himself.

After 25 minutes the Sharks got some more urgency in their attack which saw Aphele Fassi and Eben Etzebeth as the driving force.

A maul saw Siya Kolisi score his first try back in a Sharks jersey in the 27th minute and his side took the lead 10-7 as Jordan Hendrikse split the posts to add the extras.

Barely five minutes later it was Fassi who responded quickly after a tap and go, there was a gaping hole and no organised defence as he caught Glasgow off guard.

The Warriors finished off the first half with a sensational team try with some real pace on the outside followed by a little inside kick for Horn to once again dive on the ball for their second try.

The first half delivered quick, smart, and entertaining rugby from both sides.

The Sharks were the team on the front foot at the start of this second half.

Glasgow responds with a brilliant defensive hustle as they pin Fassi into a corner and drive him back over his own line followed by a five-metre scrum for the visitors and a great platform from which to attack.

But the opportunity was lost through a spill of the ball.

Then the Sharks did the same thing through Andre Esterhuizen as he drifted away from the pass and had to pick up from his ankles.

After 50 minutes the game went into something of a lull, which suited the Sharks just fine.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

* The report continues below …

Ten minutes later some fisticuffs ensued and the referee took time out to find who the culprits were. After a few words with the captains, a scrum was given in the middle of the field to the Sharks.

As the moods settled down, Warriors coach Franco Smith made plenty of changes for some much-needed impetus.

Then Gregor Brown got his marching orders after a dangerous tackle on Phepsi Buthelezi.

Hendrikse added three more points to take the Sharks to 21-12.

When you Siya a gap, you go through it 💥

Siya Kolisi’s come back try is a beaut ❤️#BKTURC #URC | #SHAvGLA pic.twitter.com/MLGHCfu9kn

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) October 19, 2024

The Sharks went into high gear and almost sent Eduan Keyter over after a wonderful run by Fassi but brilliant scramble defence from Tom Jordan and Henco Venter hauled him into touch.

The Sharks’ Grant Williams must have thought he had the last say in the game with a great try, similar to that of Horn, after a clever kick in-field by Makazole Mapimpi.

But the Warriors weren’t done and a stunned Sharks could only watch as they scored two tries within two minutes just before the hooter to bag two bonus points.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Aphele Fassi was brilliant under the high ball, he had lightning runs and he scored one of the tries.

Scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: Kolisi, Fassi, Mapimpi
Cons: Jordan Hendrikse 2
Pens: Jordan Hendrikse 3

For Glasgow:
Tries: Horn 2, Darge, Matthews
Cons: Horn

Yellow cards: Gregor Brown (for Glasgow Warriors – dangerous tackle, 65’)

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Nathan McBeth.
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.

Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Brace (Ireland)