Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
The Cell C Sharks hosted the Toyota Cheetahs in a round five Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked match in Durban. A game that never got going characterised by mistakes and penalties from both sides ended in a win for the Sharks with 19-13. The Cheetahs lost the game during scrum and lineout time, which was previously their strengths.
Both sides turned down several opportunities to go for the posts early on in the match. The first 20 minutes will only be remembered for all the errors and penalties from both sides. The score after the first 20 minutes of the game still 0-0.
The Sharks were the first on the board after a converted penalty from Curwin Bosch after 33 minutes to lead 3-0.
A yellow card to Carl Wegner of the Toyota Cheetahs gave Curwin Bosch the opportunity to double the score of the Cell C Sharks which lead 6-0 at the end of the first half.
Sixteen penalties were awarded in the first half in what must have been the worst 40 minutes of Super Rugby ever.
Chris Smit converted a penalty after 8 minutes in the second half to reduce the lead of the Sharks to 3 points.
A third penalty by Bosch with just over 20 minutes to go stretched the lead of the Sharks to 9-3.
A penalty which was converted by Chris Smit doubled the Cheetahs score to 6-9, however, still in favour of the Sharks.
A try by William Small Smith gave the Cheetahs the lead for the first time of the match with 13-9 with only nine minutes to go. The pass which created the try looked suspiciously forward but was judged good.
After a good 5 minutes of pressure by the Sharks, Madosh Tambwe scored the winning try for the Sharks with 2 minutes to go. The Sharks the winner with 19-13.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Try: Madosh Tambwe. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalty: Curwin Bosch (4)
Toyota Cheetahs: Try: William Small Smith. Conversion: Tian Schoeman. Penalty: Tian Schoeman.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Henco Venter (captain), 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Madosh Tambwe.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Junior Pokomela (captain), 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Charles Marais. Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Howard Mnisi.