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The Sharks hosted the Bulls in the biggest game of the Currie Cup third round with the visitors on the table and threatening to flee the chasing group.
Sharks 32-29 Bulls – Match Report
The opening was reminiscent of Test Match and the teams exchanged early penalties with the climax of those a 60-meter bomb from Curwin Bosch that passed the Sharks up front after Morne Steyn missed an early kick.
A major clash was marred by pedantic refereeing by Marius van der Westhuizen, who sent one player from each side to the bin to make big innings. First Marius Louw of the Sharks and then Jacques van Rooyen of the Bulls.
The first attempt came within half an hour when former Bull Manie Libbok burst onto the line and left Lukhanyo Am away for a simple encounter.
The Bulls’ best attack failed to produce a try as their well-worked maul was caught and they accepted all three of the resulting penalty.
At 14-9 just before the break, the Sharks thought they had scored again, but the TMO ruled that Dan Jooste picked up the ball in the ruck.
Halftime
The Bulls started the second half with a lot of momentum, but the Sharks scored first, extending their lead to 17-9.
Marco van Staden broke in as the Sharks lost focus and closed the game again.
The Sharks’ discipline allowed the Bulls to return to competition when Steyn scored a pair of penalty goals.
When Cornal Hendricks cut through it, it seemed the Bulls were in control of the game, but the Sharks found their way back soon enough.
The Sharks got a maul against the more imaginative pack of Bulls and went all the way. Bosch’s kick came back from the post, leaving the Sharks needing another score.
Bosch and Yaw Penxe combined for a brilliant score that put the Sharks ahead with less than five minutes to go.
The Bulls had a chance to force a tie with a late penalty goal, but Steyn missed the pressure kick and the Sharks won a tense and dramatic competition.
Sharks flank Dylan Richardson won the man of the match award.
Sharks vs Bulls – Currie Cup relive the action here
Teams
C cell sharks – 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Jeremy Ward.
Vodacom bulls – 15 David Kriel, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Match Information – Sharks vs Bulls
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020
Time: 14:00
Venue of events: Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry and Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Marius jonker
TV: SuperSport tribune and rugby
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