Sharks Heroics

02/17/2025 04:11 AM

The Hollywoodbets Sharks took an exquisite 29-19 bonus point victory out of a brave Vodacom United Rugby Championship performance against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening.

The return leg clash was always going to be tough, particularly at fortress Loftus where the Bulls rarely lose, but despite a powerful pack they had no answer for the all-round game from the Hollywoodbets Sharks that was all about creativity, energy and team work.

Their performance left no doubt about their passion, commitment and character and they will take great delight and satisfaction out of this special victory.

The victory gave them the double over the Bulls and keeps them well in the running for a top four finish.

The Bulls enjoyed the perfect start to the game, a try in the opening three minutes, rewarded for having applied early pressure from the first whistle, but the response from the Hollywoodbets Sharks was immediate and the Bulls had no answer to the first phase attack from a lineout penalty, the ball sent wide at pace and Ethan Hooker, on the wing, going over without a hand laid on him. Jordan Hendrikse's conversion levelled matters.

Aside from the opening few minutes leading into their try, the Bulls spent the next 20 minutes pretty much having to defend against a concerted attacking effort from the Hollywoodbets Sharks. To their credit, the home side managed to stem the tide but had to expend tons of energy countering everything being thrown at them in a high-paced, exciting attack.

At the half hour mark, some outstanding play on attack featuring athletic loose trio work took possession into the Bulls' 22, before Willie le Roux committed a professional foul and earned his marching orders for the cynical play, handing Hendrikse a straight forward penalty conversion to put his side into the lead.

Although the Bulls' scrum was dominant, their kicking game failed them terribly and the Hollywoodbets Sharks dominated the aerial battle almost entirely and the Bulls were left to rue inaccuracies.

However, they were kept in the race with a number of scrum penalties and then closed out the half with 15 players against the 14 of the Durban side after collapsed mauls on defence earned the referee's ire. Despite all their possession in the dying minutes of the half, the Bulls' lack of accuracy proved to be their undoing as they lost the ball on attack, trailing the Hollywoodbets Sharks 7-10 at the break.

The second half started off on a sour note, conceding a try five minutes in after a number of penalties conceded at maul time, losing another forward to the sin bin and down to 13 men, defending the maul proved impossible as the Bulls retook the lead, 12-10 after the conversion went wide.

Another maul and another yellow card a few minutes later added to the Hollywoodbets Sharks' woes as the Bulls reverted to eight-man rugby that the visiting Durban side could not contain. Outclassed by the Hollywoodbets Sharks' backline, the Bulls knew the fight could only be won upfront.

Demoralised by setbacks, the Hollywoodbets Sharks could have folded, but what happened next was sublime, out of the masterclass playbook as Hendrikse closed out a beautiful team try sparked by captain Vincent Tshituka and featured Jurenzo Julius before the ball went to the fullback to score the try of the match and certainly a contender for try of the season as the Hollywoodbets Sharks retook the lead, 15-12 with the final quarter left to play.

Vodacom Man of the Match Tino Mavesere hasn't had many opportunities but handed a starting jersey, he repaid the coaches' belief in him with an outstanding performance, scoring his first try in the VURC as the Bulls threw the ball around on attack, but inaccurately so as the Hollywoodbets Sharks' flank took a loose ball and raced halfway up the field to score the third try, with 10 minutes left to play.

Two minutes later, Yaw Penxe sealed the deal with the bonus point try, a high kick sent into the Bulls' 22 had two home players both go for the ball, both miss and Penxe pounced, with Siya Masuku converting for an unassailable 29-12 lead and the clock ticking.

There was a 77th minute try for the home side after a sustained build-up as they chased a losing bonus point but ultimately they were simply outdone by the visitors’ energy levels and control of the tempo in the closing moments of this game.

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