Sharks consolidate position in Currie Cup with nailbiting win

The Sharks came out on top in an entertaining, if often chaotic, clash with the Cheetahs in Durban which they won 38-31.

A red card to Cheetahs loose forward Jacques Potgieter put them up against a wall for much of the second period but a brace of yellow cards handed to the Sharks during the second stanza evened matters out.

Sharks have strong hold on second thanks to win

Sharks flanker Dylan Richardson led their charge with a busy afternoon. Richardson kept his side on the front foot with some strong runs and working hard on defence, while the Sharks also ensured they played most of the game in the Cheetahs’ half, making life difficult for the visitors with their kicking game.

Evardi Boshoff went over for the Free Staters after seven minutes, while Thaakir Abrahams responded for the hosts in the 12th minute to bring the game back into the balance.

Two penalty goals by Brandon Thomson increased the Cheetahs’ lead from 7-5 to 13-5. However, two tries in four minutes, by the Sharks’ Kerron van Vuuren and Henco Venter – both from set-piece play – put the Durbanites in the lead.

Free State answered with a try by Craig Barry shortly before the break made it a one-point game (19-18) as the teams took a rest.

Potgieter’s indiscretion came early in the second half and although the Cheetahs hung on, they struggled to contain the Sharks, with a man extra for all of 37 minutes.

Cameron Wright scored straight away for the Sharks and although Thomson clawed three points back for the visitors and Cameron Dawson scored a try from an attacking lineout, Van Vuuren and Abrahams got their second tries midway through the half to put the hosts firmly in control as the clock wound down.

Venter, who captained the Sharks on the day, and Emile van Heerden were sin-binned late in the match after being warned about repeated infringements in the red zone, which gave the Free Staters a sniff as they suddenly had the numerical advantage.

It paid off with less than two minutes left when Robert Ebersohn, back with the Cheetahs after eight seasons abroad, went over in the corner, but that was as good as it got for the visitors who got two points from the game, while the Sharks bagged five.