The Sharks struck fast and then made a better fist of the rainy conditions at Kings Park today to record an 18-5 Currie Cup win over the Blue Bulls.
Needing just a regulation win to ensure they can finish no lower than second on the final log, the Sharks made a bright start and profited from an early try, thanks to a clever cross-field kick from Curwin Bosch that found new Bok S’bu Nkosi in space.
The Sharks profited again from a strong set-piece platform in the Bulls 22 minutes later, Keegan Daniel sliding over for the second score. Bosch converted that second try, but the driving rain that only intensified as the half progressed meant further scoring opportunities in the half were few. The Sharks controlled matters well, though, with Bosch pinning the Bulls back via his educated boot and the forwards competing well to keep their visitors under pressure.
Leading 12-0 at the break, there weren’t many hopes of further tries in the second period and it was a messy affair indeed, with the Bulls nabbing the only one. That was a rather freakish score, with a ball being accidentally kicked through a loose scrum in the Sharks 22 and lock forward Ashton Fortuin diving on it for the score. Handre Pollard missed the conversion and despite the Bulls (and commentators’) best attempts, there would be no further opportunities for the men in Blue, with the Sharks once more controlling possession and territory as the game wore down. Bosch added a penalty shortly after the try, before striking with a cheeky drop goal to finally make the game safe with about ten minutes to play.
Sharks (18): Tries Nkosi, Daniel. Conversion Bosch. Penalty Bosch. Drop goal Bosch.
Bulls (5): Try Fortuin
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We left a few points on the table, by not going for posts, quite surprising given the conditions, but to be honest we looked like we are in a different class to the Bulls. The boys obviously thought things were going their way, we enjoyed set-piece dominance and were unlucky in the scrum penalties I thought. But yes, home semi secured and 4 points in the bag with some pretty horrible weather to boot. I was quite nervous for this game, so gladly take the points.
Happy with the result! But disappointed with NONE of the officials picking up off the ball stuff from the bulls…”miskien te tegnies vir die rëen”…that’s the bulle for you hey…
@DuToit04 (Comment 2) : I also saw quite a bit of that, specially their props.
That was some atrocious weather for a game of rugby!! Well done, boys! Good result…
@sharks_lover (Comment 3) : Think that’s one of the main reasons I dislike the bulls so much…they always get away with it!
@DuToit04 (Comment 5) : For sure, and quite a few calls went against the Sharks that should have been for them, like the scrums, Bulls drop the bind and reverse at a rate of knot’s then get the penalty.
@DuToit04 (Comment 2) : I do think smith infringement was more of a collision not a penalty.
Win is a win. I would like to see if the lineup will change for knockouts. Van wyk, Am will they be back in time?
Great result under tough conditions!!!
@coolfusion (Comment 8) : both back next week, I think
@robdylan (Comment 10) : glad to hear!!! Any info on Ward?
Well done, Sharks. I thought we got the job done. I however don’t agree with the Man of the match – thought Curwin played well, but in my opinion Keegan delivered another man of the match performance.
We have secured a home semi-final, but we have not secured top spot on the log as yet. Statically, the cheetahs can still take the top spot. We want four (4) more wins…
@JD (Comment 11) : Centre Jeremy Ward is the only major injury concern from the clash in Durban.
“We got Jeremy Ward that has got a bit of an AC joint [injury]. It doesn’t look too serious, so hopefully he will be alright. I am not too sure about next week [against the Golden Lions] though,” Du Preez added.
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@sharks_lover (Comment 13) : thanks. Hopefully Am will be fit so then Ward can rest.
@BluffShark (Comment 12) : Ja they could but don’t think they will. Anyway Sharks needs to win last two games to ensure they take momentum into playoff games!
@BluffShark (Comment 12) : I agree with your comment about KD, never gets the credit he deserves.
@BluffShark (Comment 12) : Keegan had a great game but I really thought Curwin was instrumental to the win.
Curwin was awesome. And that one linekick of his that hit the flagpole gave me goosebumps. Last time I saw a South African flyhalve play that tactically clever was Butch in the 2007 World Cup