Kolisi leads Sharks to Shield success

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MATCH REPORT: The Sharks snatched the South African Shield out of the hands of the Stormers with a hard-earned 25-22 United Rugby Championship win over the Lions in Durban on Saturday.

A Jaden Hendrikse penalty in the 76th minute sealed the win for the Sharks - the replacement scrumhalf taking over the kicking duties from his erratic brother Jordan.

Not only did the win hand them the SA Shield, they also cemented their place in the top four - moving within striking distance of the third-placed Bulls.

The losing bonus point gave the Lions some consolation - as they moved into the top eight on the standings.

It was not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but the endeavour and energy of both teams must be applauded in hot (30°C plus) and humid weather.

The Lions will certainly regret their huge error count - more than 20 turnovers and 20 missed tackles.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

* Article continues below ...

The Sharks got off to a perfect start, when they countered from inside their 22 in the wake of the Lions turnover. Some sublime handling sent Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams over in the right corner. Jordan Hendrikse was wide with the conversion attempt - 5-0.

The Lions replied with a Tapiwa Mafura try from a solid scrum inside the Sharks 22. Mafura barged over between two defenders. Gianni Lombard added the conversion - 7-5 after nine minutes.

The two teams then traded a succession of penalties and knock-ons to complete the first quarter.

It was the home team who came closest, but conceded a penalty (their fifth in the first half-an-hour) allowed the Lions an easy exit. That was a constant theme in the first half - a great break, followed by a penalty.

The Sharks scrum eventually got the upperhand and after a couple of penalties, Siya Kolisi burst over under the uprights. Hendrikse added the conversion - 12-7 after 35 minutes,

Under pressure now the Lions were conceding penalties and on the stroke of half-time Hendrikse pushed a penalty attempt wide to the right from right in front - leaving the home team with a five-point lead at the break.

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Six minutes after the break, Kolisi scored another crucial try - a sneaky line-out move. Hendrikse was again wide of the mark 17-7.

Coach John Plumtree then started to clear his bench, with four forwards - including an entire front row.

However, it was the Lions who scored next - Richard Kriel selling a great dummy and going over down the right win. Lombard was wide with the conversion attempt - 12-17 after 50 minutes.

Just short of the hour mark Kolisi was penalised for a high tackle and immediately replaced, with Lombard narrowing the gap to two points - 15-17.

That was followed by two powerful Lions mauls and a try to replacement hooker Franco Marais. Lombard added the conversion - the Lions taking the lead, 22-17, with 15 minutes remaining.

A messy restart by the Lions, followed by a scrum penalty, gave the Sharks a great attacking position. From the set piece Nick Hatton got the ball over, with the TMO confirming the bonus-point try. Jaden Hendrikse, taking over the kicking from his brother, hit the upright - 22-all.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sharks wing Yaw Penxe was yellow-carded for tackling an opponent in the air.

The Sharks, piling on the pressure, won a penalty inside the Lions 22 and Jaden Hendrikse put his team back in front, 25-22 - the kicking bouncing over off the upright.

The Sharks managed to hold on for the win and claimed the Shield.

Man of the match: 'Morné van den Berg was the Lions' best playmaker and also produced some great cover play on defence. Flank Jarod Cairns won numerous turnovers at crucial stages. Phepsi Buthelezi and Ox Nche produced many strong carries in an impressive first half, with Nche also a powerhouse in the scrums. Jaden Hendrikse made a huge impact as a second-half replacement with his impressive game management. Our award goes to Sharks captain Siya Kolisi - for his crucial scores, late in the first half and early in the second half, to go with several great carries (for 40-odd metres) and some great handling.

The scorers

For the Sharks
Tries: Williams, Kolisi 2, Hatton
Con: Jordan Hendrikse
Pen: Jaden Hendrikse

For the Lions
Tries: Mafura, Kriel, Marais
Cons: Lombard 2
Pen: Lombard

Yellow card: Yaw Penxe (Sharks, 70 - foul play, tackling a player in the air)

Teams

Sharks: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 WJ Steenkamp, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

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* Picture credit: Steve Haag sport