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The Sharks held out against a Lions comeback to claim a 19-16 victory in the first Super Rugby Unlocked game in Durban on Friday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The first official game of the South African national restart may not have been a high-scoring affair, but it was a thriller that went to the end.
As expected, rival flyhalves Elton Jantjies and Curwin Bosch took center stage, exchanging penalties to leave the game with three points in favor of the Sharks as the game progressed after the full-time horn.
Just a couple of minutes earlier, Jantjies had a chance to tie the score, but hit the posts with a late penalty attempt.
However, the Lions still had a chance to snatch it as they won a penalty near the Sharks try line, with Jantjies this time opting for a scrum rather than a possible penalty, which would have seen the visitors come out with a credible draw. As it happened, referee AJ Jacobs blew a penalty in favor of the Sharks, allowing them to take the victory.
The home team had the best of the first half, dominating more than 80 percent of possession in one stage, but lost a lot in the second period. A malfunctioning piece of ball and a high penalty count in the breakdown allowed the Lions to return to competition.
The Sharks’ kicking game was a major weapon in their arsenal and they put the Lions under great pressure early on. This led to the first attempt, as the Lions failed to muster a Bosch double, allowing the Sharks to reunite before Phepsi Buthelezi and Lukhanyo Am combined to put Werner Kok on his first attempt in the Sharks colors. .
The Sharks’ main concern will be their set piece. This was the only area of the game the Lions were comfortable in, with Sti Sithole and Carlu Sadie getting the best of their Springbok-topped opposing numbers. Marvin Orie, meanwhile, put a lot of pressure on the Sharks’ lineout, causing confusion between young hooker Dylan Richardson and his jump shots.
Unsurprisingly, Jantjies was at the forefront of all the good the Lions did in attack. His quick thinking led him to the first try as he quickly took a penalty and threw a cross shot to allow Jamba Ulengo to score in the corner, bringing them back into play.
The Sharks will have a break next weekend, while the Lions will travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers, in what will be the opening match of the tournament on the Cape side.
Sharks – Test: Werner Kok. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Bosch (4)
Lions – Test: Jamba Ulengo. Conversion: Elton Jantjies. Penalties: Jantjies (3)
Sharks – 15 Manie Libbok, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phendulani Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Celimpilo Gumede, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Thaakir Abrahams.
Lions – 15 EW Viljoen; 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sibahle Maxwane; 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Dillon Smit; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: January 16-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Gianni Lombard.
Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo Images
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