The South African Shield was secured by the Hollywoodbets Sharks with a hard-fought 25-22 win over the Emirates Lions in Durban on Saturday.
After five minutes of play in the first half, a loose pass by the Lions was picked up by the Sharks, whereafter the Sharks launched a counterattack. A great short pass from Siya Kolisi to get his team into space as the ball finds Grant Williams who scored the corner for the try.
From the kickoff the Sharks knocked the ball on and the Lions made no mistake at the set-piece for Tapiwa Mafura to barge his way over the line in the corner. Gianni Lombard edged the Lions into a 07-05 lead with the conversion.
With six minutes still to play in the first half when Siya Kolisi scored the Sharks' second try. Jordan Hendrickse converted to retake the lead 12-05, which was the halftime score.
After seven minutes of play in the second half, Siya Kolisi scored his second try of the match in the corner, to extend the Sharks' lead to 17-07.
In a swift response by the Lions, Richard Kriel sold a brilliant dummy to outpace the defenders to score the Lions' second try and cut the host's lead to five points.
With twenty minutes to play in the second half, Gianni Lombard converted a penalty before Franco Marais bulldozed his way over the tryline to retake the lead 22-17 for the Lions.
With ten minutes to pay the Sharks struck back with a bonus point try by Nick Hatton to level the scores 22-22.
Six minutes later a Jaden Hendrickse penalty hits the post and goes over to secure the Sharks a 25-22 win.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi (2), Nick Hatton. Conversions: Jordan Hendrickse. Penalty: Jordan Hendrickse.
Emirates Lions: Tries: Tapiwa Mafura, Richard Kriel, Franco Marais. Conversions: Gianni Lombard. Penalty: Gianni Lombard
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.
Emirates Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 WJ Steenkamp, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
