The Hollywoodbets Sharks beat the DHL Stormers 21-15 in a match full of unforced errors by both sides. The DHL Stomers defence early in the first half led to the Hollywoodbets Sharks scoring two tries to lead 14-00 after fifteen minutes of play, which was the difference between winning or losing on the day.
The Stormers dominated the first ten minutes of the match, however, the Sharks got their hands on some quality attacking ball and slowly moved into the Stormers' twenty-two. The ball, from a dominant maul, was spread wide and put winger Ethan Hooker in space. Hooker had a lot to do but managed to wrestle himself over the tryline to score the Sharks' first points of the match. Siya Masuku added the extra two.
Four minutes later, the Stormers' defence was stretched to the limit. Siya Kolisi ran a great line to score the Sharks' second try and extend the Sharks' lead to 14-00 after fifteen minutes of play in the first half.
A Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu drop goal from thirty-four meters out cut the Sharks' lead to 14-03 with fifteen minutes to play in the first half.
With ten minutes to play and two missed attempts to convert penalties, the Stormers opted for a lineout, which they also fumbled with Warrick Gelant knocking on a simple ball with the tryline shouting for attention.
After forty minutes that was dominated by unforced errors from both sides, the Sharks led 14-03 at the halftime break. The Stormers missed fourteen tackles at this stage explaining the Sharks' two tries which both were the result of poor defence.
The Stormers struck within the first four minutes of the second half when Leolin Zas won the race to a grubber by Warrick Gelant to reduce the Sharks' lead to 14-08.
Patience on the attack by the Sharks' who also made mistakes on the attack led to a short ball from a ruck to Andre Esterhuizen who bulldozed his way over the Stormers' tryline to extend the Sharks' lead to 21-08 with twenty minutes to play.
A penalty try awarded to the Stormers with two minutes left on the clock set the match on fire, which eventually led to Manie Libboks scoring the Stormers' "winning try" which was disallowed due to a knock-on by Manie Libbok.
The Stormers' errors at the end cost them a win that they did not deserve. Hollywoodbets Sharks won 21-15.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Ethan Hooker, Siya Kolisi, Andre Esterhuizen. Conversions: Siya Masuku (2), Jordan Hendrikse.
DHL Stormers: Try: Leolin Zas, Penalty try. Dropgoal: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tsituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Emmanuel Tshituka, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Jordan Hendrikse.
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (c), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Manie Libbok.