Pead breaks Sharks hearts as Lions steal win at the death

MATCH REPORT: Haashim Pead delivered a dramatic late twist in Durban as the Lions snatched a 23-22 victory from the jaws of defeat, breaking Sharks hearts with a try in the dying moments of a wild, momentum-swinging contest.

After racing into a commanding early lead and then surrendering control following a red card and sustained Sharks pressure, the visitors somehow found one final surge.

With the clock ticking down and the outcome hanging in the balance, Pead pounced from close range to seal a stunning win, capping a breathless encounter that ebbed and flowed until the very last play.

The Sharks were tested early on after the game got underway in Durban, as the Lions attacked with ferocious intent.

They grabbed their first try a few minutes after Chris Smith slotted a successful penalty conversion.

The try was converted and the visitors were ahead 10-0 after eight minutes of play.

When Francke Horn dove over two minutes later, the homeside was left shell-shocked as they trailed 0-15 in under the first 15 minutes.

But they took the bulls by the horns, drove hard from a line-out and Emmanuel Tshituka was the man who forced his way over.

As the clock was winding down the first 30, Siya Kolisi showed strength as he powered over Angelo Davids from a five metre line-out.

Jordan Hendrikse converted as the Sharks managed to close the gap to 12-15.

Both sides demonstrated a willingness to give the ball some air, and after some end-to-end play from both sides, Chris Smith knocked over a three-pointer.

The Sharks worked their way back into the red zone, but captain Andre Esterhuizen, with some space in front him, squandered the opportunity with a rare knock-on.

As the Lions executed a get out of jail card and took play all the way back to the Sharks’ 22, Ruan Venter found himself in deep water after he head-on collision with Aphelele Fassi.

Launching an immediate counterattack, they advanced all the back to the Lions’ front porch and Jason Jenkins dotted down for their third try.

Hendrickse missed the conversion again, which could have taken the Sharks into the lead; instead, they headed into the halftime trailing 17-18.

The Sharks wasted no time in utilising their numerical advantage. Emmanuel Tshituka worked his way over the tryline, but Kolisi had knocked the ball forward in the build-up to the try.

At the same time, Venter’s yellow card was upgraded to a red and he left the side of the field, which was a massive blow for the Lions as the flanker was one of the stars in the game.

A wonderful maul by the Sharks’ pack of forwards saw them advance several metres, the ball was flung wide and Fassi almost darted through the defence, but the ball was once more knocked on by the men in black.

But the Lions showed resilience, won a good line-out and all of a sudden was back on the edge of the Sharks’ 22.

Another Sharks mistake offered the Lions a line-out option five metres out, but Jaden Hendrikse got rid of the ball to great effect, sending it miles downfield.

The Lions started another attack, but the Sharks got hands on the ball.

Playing quickly and catching the visitors offside, Esterhuizen hoofed the ball ahead, Edwill van der Merwe followed up, dribbled it and managed to dot down, sending the Sharks into the lead by 22-18.

Hendrikse missed another conversion, having had a torrid time with his aim at the poles.

A monster scrum penalty won by the Sharks cemented their dominance in the second half. Jordan Hendrikse kicked for touch, and the Sharks launched another attack .

The Lions launched then launched an attack with four minutes left on the clock, but they lost the ball and the pendulum was swung to and fro between these two sides.

With two minutes left, the Lions roared ahead from a lineout, looking to grab victory.

Replacement scrumhalf Haashim Pead sneaked over from behind a scrum, winning it for the Lions at the death.

Man of the Match: Grant Williams, starting at No.9 and later moving to wing, he was consistent and solid for the Sharks.

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: E Tshituka, Kolisi, Jenkins, Van der Merwe
Cons: Jo Hendrikse

For Lions:
Tries: Oosthuizen, Horn, Pead
Cons: Smith
Pens: Smith 2

Red card (upgraded from yellow card): Ruan Venter (Lions, high tackle – 38’)

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.

Referee: Chris Allison (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)