Sharks outmuscle Waratahs
The Sharks scored two tries on their way to a convincing 32-10 over the Waratahs in an ill-tempered match at Kings Park on Saturday.
The victory sees the Sharks extend their lead at the top of the standings, whilst the Waratahs will leave Durban empty-handed as they head to Cape Town to face the Stormers.
Stand-in flyhalf Fred Zeilinga turned in a faultless kicking display with 19 points to his name as the hosts dominated against their ill-disciplined visitors.
The Australians did manage a late consolation try through Bernard Foley, who kicked all their points on a warm night on the east coast.
The Waratahs made a flying start thanks to a superb Adam Ashley-Cooper break through the middle, and after the ball was recycled, Frans Steyn was caught offside, allowing Foley to slot over the first points.
The hosts were level after 10 minutes as Jaques Potgieter returned the favour by straying into illegal territory – the injured Patrick Lambie's replacement Zeilinga, making his first start for the coastal franchise, converting the penalty from right in front.
Seven minute later the Sharks No.10 banged over another three-pointer to put his team in front after a dangerous tackle on Steyn by Rob Horne, who was lucky to escape a trip to the sin bin.
Zeilinga added a third penalty just after the opening quarter when Benn Robinson was punished for collapsing the scrum, with Foley missing a chance to win back the three points when he shot wide after Marcell Coetzee failed to roll away.
Steyn made the visitors pay for that miss when he knocked over a monster 52-metre kick on the stroke of half time as the Sharks led by nine.
After the restart, Foley wasted a second kick that drifted wide, while another long-range Steyn effort was just off target this time.
But the game changed after 48 minutes when Waratahs captain David Dennis was yellow carded for an off-the-ball incident with opposite number Bismarck du Plessis.
And the Sharks made full use of their advantage, winning a penalty line-out on attack and pushing over through Marcell Coetzee.
Zeilinga added the conversion and followed that up with a 65th minute offside penalty as the hosts took total control.
Daniel, making his first appearance of the season from the bench, added a second try with eight minutes to go following a quick tap-and-go taken by himself on the left as the penalty count increased against the New South Wales outfit.
Foley managed a consolation try two minutes from time when he ran on to Pat McCutcheon's pass to score under the post.
Man of the match: Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis led by an example in a physical encounter.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Coetzee, Daniel
Cons: Zeilinga 2
Pens: Zeilinga 5, Steyn
For the Waratahs:
Try: Foley
Con: Foley
Pen: Foley
Yellow card: Dave Dennis (Waratahs, 48 – Foul play)
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 SP Marais.
Waratahs: 15 Jonno Lance, 14 Rob Horne, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis (captain), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Silatolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Patrick McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Matt Carraro, 23 Alofa Alofa.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Marius Jonker (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
