Sharks strike Stormers again
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks once again flipped the script, beating the Stormers for the second week in a row – this time clocking a 36-24 victory at home in Durban.
The visitors had a fire in their bellies, scoring in the blink of an eye in the 35th second.
They were on top of Andre Esterhuizen from the kick-off, and from there they drove Cobus Reinach over the line, catching the Sharks completely off guard.
The Sharks responded well after settling the nerves. Jordan Hendrikse caught an up-and-under from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and from there, a strong run by Ethan Hooker got them over the advantage line and into the Stormers’ 22.
Two Sharks line-outs followed, and a try was on the cards, but a pass from Apehele Fassi completely missed Jaco Williams on the edge.
Paul de Villiers got his marching orders for collapsing the maul, and the Sharks were in the ideal position to grab a fiver.
Persistence paid off for the Sharks as Grant Williams sneaked across, sniping behind the ruck.
Hendrikse added the extras, and the homeside was in the lead 7-5.
A successful penalty kick by Feinberg-Mngomezulu edged the Stormers slightly ahead again.
The scrums were a battle royale with both packs trying to assert dominance.
Flags were raised once more as Feinberg-Mngomezulu clocked another three points.
Heading into the second part of the first half, Ethan Hooker grabbed his side’s second try after the forwards did all the hard work. Hendrikse converted for the Sharks to take the lead once more by 14-11.
The Stormers put themselves in a good position to score after camping out on the Sharks’ porch, but a ‘try’ by Adre Smith was disallowed after there was obstruction by Neethling Fouché.
Minutes before halftime, Feinberg-Mngomezulu landed a monster penalty goal to square things at 14-14.
Two minutes later, he did so again to head into the break leading by a small margin.
Paul de Villiers opened proceedings for the visitors in the second with a wonderful run and step to score within the first two minutes.
Moments later, the Sharks’ maul went on the hunt for the tryline. They were bundled into touch five metres out.
In the ensuing scrum, the Stormers’ frontrow buckled.
The Sharks kept knocking on the door, and eventually, captain Esterhuizen dove over to gather their third try.
In the process of their defence, Ruben van Heerden got his marching orders.
The Stormers were onthe front foot with one man extra, and Jaco Williams got the perfect pass from his No.9 to stroll over the whitewash for their bonus-point try.
This took the hosts into a 28-24 lead with 30 minutes left on the clock.
A touchfinder by Hendrikse put the Sharks in a good position to vie for another five-pointer, leading by four points at this stage.
With ten minutes left, Hendrikse shot a penalty kick through the poles to stretch their lead to 31-24.
A speculative kick downfield by Feinberg-Mngomezulu saw Jaco Williams kick it into the in-goal area. Warrick Gelant took his time to dot down and didn’t see Williams come racing towards him.
Gelant made a complete mess of that.
The speedy winger was first to dot down and may have clinched this encounter for the Sharks.
Four minutes before full-time, the Stormers won a scrum penalty. Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked for touch and had a last gasp chance to claw their way back.
The first lineout was a mess, and a scrum followed.
They drove but were held up.
From the kick-off, they came again. Knocked it on. The final whistle blew.
The Sharks have the Stormers’ number.
Man of the Match: It was a toss-up between Ethan Hooker, captain Andre Esterhuizen and Jaco Williams, but our vote goes to Sharks winger for sneaking in that tremendously magical try under the feet of Warrick Gelant.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Williams, Hooker, Esterhuizen, J Williams 2
Cons: Hendrikse 4
Pens: Hendrikse
For the Stormers:
Tries: Reinach, De Villiers
Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4
Yellow cards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers, 8’ – obstruction); Ruben van Heerden, 50’ – cynical play)
Teams
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Warrick Gelant.
