The Cell C Sharks looked to build on their good start to the year when they hosted the DHL Stormers. They looked like they would run away with the game early on but could not hang on for a win. Two penalty tries were awarded to the Stormers, with the last one awarded after time was up on the clock to level the scores for a draw (22-22).
The first was a close affair with the hosts who started and ended the first half in control. The Stormers were still in the game and the difference of five points on the scoreboard maybe a just reflection of the action on the field.
The Sharks were in control of the match until Brok Harris and Warrick Gelant made their appearance for the Stormers early on in the second half. They change the rhythm of the game completely and had the Sharks scrambling for a win at the end of the game. Two yellow cards shown to the Sharks were a major contributor to their struggles late in the second half.
02:59 A strong start by the Cell C Sharks had Lukhanyo Am stroll over the Stormers' goal line after the Sharks continued initial onslaught. (05-00)
20:00 Sharks started like a house on fire, however, as the game progressed the Stormers clawed their way back into the game to such expend that they were the dominant side
21:02 Manie Libbok converted a penalty for the Stormers. (05-03)
25:58 Boeta Chamberlain converted a penalty for the Sharks. (08-03)
38:22 Deon Fourie (Stormers) sent off with a yellow card.
39:26 Boeta Chamberlain slotted a 45m dropgoal for the Sharks. (11-03)
40:00 The Sharks ended the first half like they started the first half, however, a fumble in the Stormers' in-goal area had a "try" disallowed. Boeta Chamberlain slotted a dropgoal from the in-goal drop-out by the Stormers for a "disappointing" three-pointer. The Sharks' dominant scrum could become telling in the latter part of the game.
45:39 A brilliant grubber by Aphelele Fassi was collected by Makazole Mapimpi to score the Sharks second try. (16-03)
50:35 Boeta Chamberlain converted a penalty for the Sharks. (19-03)
52:20 Warrick Gelant's magic had an immediate effect as he sent Damian Willemse away to score the Stormers' first try of the match in the corner. (19-08)
60:00 The arrival of Brok HHarris as a replacement on the tighthead change the game completely with the Stormers dominance and confidence growing by the minute.
64:07 Boeta Chamberlain scored his third penalty for the Sharks. (22-08)
68:07 A penalty try was awarded to the Stormers after the Sharks collapsed a driving maul. Khutha Mchunu (Sharks) was given a yellow card for his silliness. (22-15)
76:50 Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks) reduced to 13 men after another yellow card.
80:00 Second penalty try awarded to the Stormers to level the scores (22-22)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi. Penalties: Boeta Chamberlain (3). Drop goal: Boeta Chamberlain.
DHL Stormers: Tries: Damian Willemse, Penalty Try (2). Penalty: Manie Libbok
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Henry Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Jeandré Labuschagne, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Joaquin Bonilla, 23 Jeremy Ward.
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Nama Xaba, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Warrick Gelant.