Sharks in sensational comeback win over Ulster

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks made history in Belfast on Saturday to become the first South African team to win at Ravenhill Stadium.

The result also gave South Africa a full-house of four wins in Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship.

It was a sensational comeback by the visitors, with the Irish province leading by 14 points (19-5) at half-time, but being held scoreless after the break.

The game started with a late change for the Sharks – captain and the most capped Springbok Eben Etzebeth was ruled out by the team doctor with the flu.

Ulster got off to a flying start, leading 19-0 on the half-hour mark.

It was an opening spell in which the visitor appeared to be sleepwalking.

However, once they awoke from their slumber, their powerful pack started to dominate, and their backs also got into the game.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

* The article continues below …

Flyhalf Jack Murphy saved Ulster some early blushes when he scrambled back to dot the ball down after an attempted clearance kick was charged down.

Minutes later, the No.10 scored on the other side of the field, as fullback Jaco Stockdale exposed the Sharks’ defence.

Almost from the restart, and with the Sharks on attack, a sloppy pass allowed the ball to be hacked ahead, and Jude Postlethwaite scored a second try. Murphy, who missed the first conversion, added the second for a 12-0 home team lead after 10 minutes.

Ulster continued to dominate territory (about 60 percent) through some sublime tactical kicking, while the Sharks did not help themselves with some sloppy play.

On the half-hour mark, with the Sharks again turning the ball over on attack, Jacob Stockdale produced a sublime chip-and-collect and then put Nathan Doak away for the third try. Murphy’s conversion made it 19-0.

Soon after, the Ulster fullback, Jacob Stockdale, was yellow carded for a cynical play – slapping the ball down at the tackle.

The Sharks, playing on advantage, spread the ball wide and Makazole Mapimpi went over on the left wing to open the visitors’ account. Jordan Hendrikse was wide with his conversion attempt – 5-19.

It did not stop there. With their tails up and Ulster a man down, quick hands found space on the left where Mapimpi sprinted over for what he thought was a try. However, the TMO found a forward pass in the build-up, leaving the home team with a 14-point (19-5) half-time lead.

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After the break, the Sharks continued to work their way back into the game and looked threatening at times.

However, a crucial turnover won by Rob Herring stopped a threatening move inside the Ulster 22. That was followed by a Sharks knock-on near the Ulster line.

The Sharks now dominated territory, but another knock-on stopped them five metres short again.

They finally got their reward on the hour mark – flank Manu Tshituka finishing off a series of forward raids. Jordan Hendrikse added the conversion to bring the Sharks to within a converted try – 12-19.

It was now the home team’s turn to start coughing up the ball through silly errors, allowing the Sharks a foothold in the game.

From a solid scrum, the Sharks back cut the Ulster defence to shreds and replacement Jurenzo Julius sprinted over. Jordan Hendrikse levelled the scores (19-all) with the conversion and 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors now had all the momentum, and Ulster was scrambling to survive.

With three minutes left on the clock, Ulster conceded a penalty in front of their posts and Jordan Hendrikse put the Sharks in the lead for the first time, 22-19, also the full-time score.

Man of the match: In the opening half-hour, Munster players like Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak looked world-class. The Sharks’ pack was pure class in the second half – the loose trio of Siya Kolisi, Manu Tshituka and James Venter, along with locks Jason Jenkins and Vincent Tshituka at the forefront. In the scrums, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche also had a slow start, but started to dominate after the break. Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker and Makazole Mapimpi also came into their own. My award goes to Andre The Giant – Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen, who made 16 carries for 63 metres and 13 tackles. He constantly got his team over the advantage line and played a massive role in help setting g up the win in the second half.

The scorers

For Ulster
Tries: Murphy, Postlethwaite, Doak
Cons: Murphy 2

For the Sharks
Tries: Mapimpi, M Tshituka, Julius
Cons: Jordan Hendrikse 2
Pen: Jordan Hendrikse

Yellow card: Jacob Stockdale (Ulster, 33 – cynical foul, slapping the ball down at the tackle)

Teams

Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jude Postlethwaite, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 James McNabney, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Matty Rea, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Bryan O’Connor, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Kieran Treadwell, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Aidan Morgan, 23 David McCann.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jurenzo Julius, 17 Fez Mbatha, 18 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 19 Hanro Jacobs, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant referees: Padraic Reidy (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)

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