Luan Giliomee stars as Sharks see off Ospreys in Durban

MATCH REPORT: Luan Giliomee scored two tries as the Sharks got their United Rugby Championship campaign underway with a 41-24 win over the Ospreys at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

The hosts outscored the visitors by five tries to four during the 80 minutes.

Giliomee was one of several youngsters who impressed in the match. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo was another as he contributed 14 points with a flawless kicking display.

There was a late change before kick-off with Janco Purchase coming in to replace Murray Koster in the midfield.

There was little disruption, with Purchase also producing a strong performance.

The Sharks dominated the opening minutes, and after some wasteful play with ball in hand, they finally showed that clinical edge with captain Nick Hantton running in for the first try after superb handling, which included two offloads by Jaden Hendrikse in the build-up.

JP Pietersen’s side were in again in the 22nd minute after Purchase crashed through the Ospreys’ defence before feeding the ball to Jurenzo Julius, who gave the final pass to Manu Tshituka to run in for the score.

The home side’s third try was a piece of individual brilliance. After being put into space near the middle of the field, Giliomee evaded several defenders with a weaving run on his way to the tryline.

The Ospreys finally got a sniff after the half-hour mark, and they took advantage with wing Luke Morgan scoring a five-pointer after sustained pressure.

The visitors shot themselves in the foot a few minutes later when they lost the ball in midfield, and after the ball was booted downfield, Litelihle Bester was on hand to gather it and score the try.

However, the Welsh side had the final say of the first half with Sam Parry going over for a try after a strong driving maul.

At half-time, it was 28-14 to the hosts.

The visitors managed to reduce the Sharks’ lead again early in the second half when Liam Wright found himself in acres of space to run away for his team’s third try.

After landing four conversions, Sharks flyhalf Moyo eased the pressure with two penalty goals to make it a 15-point ball game after 55 minutes.

It got more comfortable for the home side in the 67th minute with Giliomee scoring his second try after some slick handling in the Ospreys’ 22.

There was some consolation for the visitors with Iestyn Hopkins scoring his side’s bonus-point try as they now head to Johannesburg to face the Lions.

The Sharks will welcome Leinster to Durban in the second round.

Man of the match: The award goes to Sharks fullback Luan Giliomee, who was exciting with ball in hand and scored two tries as well. It looks like it will be a big loss for the Sharks when he eventually moves to the Bulls.

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: Hatton, Tshituka, Giliomee 2, Bester
Cons: Moyo 4, Masuku
Pens: Moyo 2

For Ospreys:
Tries: Morgan, Parry, Wright, Hopkins
Cons: Creighton 2

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Zekhethelo Siyaya.

Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Owen Watkin (co-captain), 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Rhys Davies, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (co-captain), 1 Steffan Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Evardi Bosho.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) and Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Fillipo Russo (Italy)