In Durban, the Hollywoodbets and Vodacom Bulls were in a physical and error-ridden match. The Sharks edged the Bulls 20-17 with the Bulls' decision not to attempt converting three penalties during the final five minutes of the match a mystery.
The Sharks were made to make three changes before the start of the match. And to add to the misery of the hosts they conceded sixteen penalties to the seven conceded by the Bulls.
Jordan Hendrikse converted an early penalty to open the Scoring for the Sharks.
After eighteen minutes of play in the first half, the Sharks launched an all-out attack with several players handling the ball as they rumbled downfield. Jaden Hendrikse sniped next to a loose scrum and scored the Sharks' first try of the match. Brother Jordan Hendrikse added the extra two points to extend the Sharks' lead to 10-00.
The Vodacom Bulls scored two tries in a matter of four minutes. Both tries were scored after the Bulls attacked off the back of line-outs in the Sharks twenty-two. Cobus Wiese scored the first try and Harold Vorster the second to wrestle the lead from the Sharks, leading 14-10 at the halftime break. Goosen converted both tries.
The Bulls just-just dominated territory and possession at the end of the first half, however, the eight penalties conceded by the Sharks did give the Bulls the four-point edge at the halftime break.
Johan Goosen converted a penalty for the Bulls after eight minutes of play to extend their lead to 17-10. The Sharks already conceded two penalties in the second half with the first almost resulting in a try for the Bulls.
The Sharks kicked the ball forward into the in-goal area of the Bulls. In desperation, Sebastian de Klerk knocked the ball out of play resulting in a yellow card and a penalty try awarded to the Sharks. The penalty try levelling the scores at 17-17 after twelve minutes of play in the second half.
With ten minutes to play in the second half, Jordan Hendrikse edged the Sharks into a 20-17 lead with a converted penalty.
Following two missed attempts to convert penalties by Johan Goosen the Bulls refused three further attempts and rather decided on five-meter lineouts. The Sharks defended these maul attempts by the Bulls to secure a 20-17 win.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Try: Jaden Hendrikse, Penalty try. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse. Penalty: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Cobus Wiese, Harold Vorster. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2). Penalty: Johan Goosen
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Ethan Bester, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Lappie Labuschagne, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw (c), 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Cameron Hanekom, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Sergeal Petersen, 23 Devon Williams.