Siya stars as Sharks clinch SA Shield
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Captain Siya Kolisi scored two tries to lead the Sharks to victory in a nail-biting URC derby against the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday.
Kolisi dotted down on either side of the break as the Sharks held firm to deny a late comeback from the Lions in a 25-22 bonus-point victory that marked the Durban side’s first win against their Johannesburg rivals in four attempts.
That 2x #RWC Champion Touch @SharksRugby's Siya Kolisi with unstoppable flow @Vodacom#URC | #SHAvLIOpic.twitter.com/Pyq90bEtdr
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 8, 2025
A try-double from the Springbok captain was complemented by tries from Bok scrumhalf Grant Williams and replacement loose forward Nick Hatton, while Jaden Hendrikse added five from the tee, including his late penalty to break the deadlock.
The Lions were given a lifeline in the 70th minute when Sharks winger Yaw Penxe was shown a yellow card for an illegal challenge in the air, giving the visitors a one-man advantage for the final 10 minutes. The Sharks weathered the storm, applying pressure on the Lions’ back-three with a ruthless kicking game and capitalising on errors in the red zone to retake the lead thanks to Hendrikse’s late penalty.
For the Lions, fullback Tapiwa Mafura and wing Richard Kriel scored tries before replacement hooker Franco Marais got the Pride’s third of the day, finishing off a powerful maul in the fourth quarter. Flyhalf Gianni Lombard struck with the boot, contributing six points.
Welcome to Durban… @SharksRugby have won the South African Shield @Vodacom#URC | #SHAvLIOpic.twitter.com/a79l0KVqnN
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 8, 2025
CHAMPIONS! A few more pics of your CHAMPIONS! @vodacom#URC#SHAvLIOpic.twitter.com/wPbWsxe803
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) March 8, 2025
The Sharks finished top of the SA Shield, level with the Stormers on 18 points but overtaking their Cape rivals on derby wins (four to three) in the URC’s mini competition. The Bulls finish third in the SA Shield race while the Lions end last after losing four of six derbies.
The Sharks will look to push higher up the league table when they host Italian side Zebre at Kings Park (22 March), while the Lions have an opportunity to regroup when they begin a two-match overseas tour against Cardiff in the next round (21 March).
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Siya stars as Sharks clinch SA Shield appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
