Sharks hold off spirited Scarlets for first win

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks recorded their first win of the 2025/2026 United Rugby Championship season with a hard-fought 29-19 victory over the Scarlets in their Round Five encounter at Kings Park.

John Plumtree’s side outscored their opponents by four tries to three in a see-saw match, and they also managed to overcome a couple of late withdrawals in the form of flyhalf Siya Masuku and prop Vincent Koch.

It was desperate times for both teams as the Scarlets entered the match sitting at the bottom of the standings, while the Sharks only had a draw and three defeats from four outings before kick-off.

The Sharks showed determination in the opening minutes, and after multiple phases, scrumhalf Grant Williams found Vincent Tshituka with a long pass out wide with the flank powering in for the first try.

However, Scarlets silenced the crowd in the 16th minute when a series of clever offloads in the midfield resulted in Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe sprinting away for a five-pointer.

The game then entered a period where the lead changed hands in quick succession.

First, the Sharks went in front again when Emmanuel Tshituka stepped his way through the Scarlets’ defence to score his team’s second try. Jean Smith added the extra two points with the conversion.

However, moments later, the home side failed to deal with Blair Murray’s chip kick, and after some control, the Scarlets fullback regathered the ball to score a great try.

Sam Costelow added his second conversion to make it 14-12 to the visitors after 21 minutes.

The Sharks looked threatening with ball in hand after that, and they scored their third try in the 28th minute when Lee-Marvin Mazibuko powered his way over the Scarlets’ tryline.

The see-saw nature of the game continued in the second half when Tom Rogers ran a great line to run off a pass from Dane Blacker before weaving his way through the Sharks’ defence and scoring a five-pointer in the 45th minute.

A few minutes later, the Sharks secured the bonus point after Siya Kolisi spun out of a maul to dive over for his side’s fourth try.

Smith added some breathing space in the 64th minute with a long-range penalty goal.

The Sharks received an advantage in the 73rd minute when Scarlets’ No.8 Taine Plumtree received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on before the home side held on for the win.

Man of the match: The award goes to Sharks prop Ox Nche, who was a dominant force in the scrums. He also showed great power with ball in hand.

The scorers:

For Sharks:
Tries: V Tshituka, E Tshituka, Mazibuko, Kolisi
Cons: Smith 3
Pen: Smith

For Scarlets:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Murray, Rogers
Cons: Costelow 2

Yellow card: Taine Plumtree (Scarlets, 73′ – cynical play, deliberate knock-on)

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (captain), 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 21 Dane Blacker, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 28 Sam Lousi, 5 Jake Ball, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 3 Archer Holz, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 9 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)