The Cell C Sharks hosted the Tafel Lager Griquas in Durban tonight. In a stop-start game, the Cell C Sharks managed to get their 2022 Currie Cup campaign off to a winning start (24-21).
The first 40 minutes was a stop-start affair with unforced errors dominating from both sides. The Sharks deservedly leading 10-06 at the break. The second half was not much different with the Sharks playing with fourteen men in the last twenty minutes.
20:00 The first twenty minutes was a stop-start affair with both sides struggling to take the ball through two or more phases.
20:05 Jordan Chait converted a penalty (03-00)
27:20 Cameron Wright scored the Sharks first try. (10-00)
31:00 Zander du Plessis converted a penalty for Griquas to open their account (10-03)
37:48 Zander du Plessis converted a second penalty for Griquas (10-06)
40:00 The first half did not get going with both sides unable to dominate.
41:35 Dan Jooste scored the Sharks second try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (15-06)
51:42 Murray Koster converted a penalty for the Sharks. (18-06)
60:00 The Sharks looked a lot better in the first twenty minutes of the second half, gaining some momentum.
61:31 Olajuwon Noa (Sharks) was sent off with a red card.
61:48 Michael Amiras scored the first try for a resurging Griquas. (18-13)
68:18 Sanele Nohamba converted a penalty for the Sharks. (21-13)
72:17 Zander du Plessis slotted his third penalty for Griquas. (21-16)
77:36 Sanele Nohamba converted a second penalty for the Sharks. (24-16)
80:04 Sango Xamlashe scored Griquas second try. (24-21)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Cameron Wright, Dan Jooste. Conversion: Jordan Chait. Penalties: Jordan Chait, Murray Koster, Sanele Nohamba (2).
Tafel Lager Griquas: Tries: Michael Amiras, Sango Xamlashe. Conversion: Zander du Plessis. Penalties: Zander du Plessis (3)
Cell C Sharks: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Werner Kok, 12. Marius Louw (captain), 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. Jordan Chait, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Mpilo Gumede, 7. Olajuwon Noa, 6. Thembelani Bholi, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Dan Jooste, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Jason Alexander, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Josh Moon, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Murray Koster, 23. Marnus Potgieter.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. Munier Hartzenberg, 13. Christopher Hollis, 12. Rynhardt Jonker, 11. Luther Obi, 10. Zander du Plessis, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7. Siba Qoma, 6. Niel Otto, 5. Derik Pretorius, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Alandre van Rooyen, 1. Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16. Janco Uys, 17. Kudzwai Dube, 18. Justin Forwood, 19. Johan Retief, 20. Michael Amiras, 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Theo Boshoff, 23. Sango Xamlashe.