Photo Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
The Sharks extended their advantage at the top of the South African conference and Competition log with a 24-14 victory over the Stormers but their victory will be soured somewhat with confirmation this afternoon from SANZAAR that the 2020 Super Rugby tournament will be suspended for the foreseeable future at the end of this weekend's matches.
A sometimes spiteful first half, that sensationally saw a yellow card from the opening kick off, comes to an end in Durban. It took a long time for the deadlock to be broken with the first points not coming until the 25th minute but, once it was, the game opened up with tries scored at both ends of the field in quick succession. At half time, it is just a Bosch drop goal that separates the two sides - the Sharks head to the break ahead 10-7.
A pulsating contest, that was on a knife's edge right up until the final minutes. Despite conceding an early penalty goal, the Stormers roared back into the contest with a try to Paul de Wet on the hour mark. Bosch steadied the ship for the home side with a couple of accurate penalty goal attempts before Mapimpi displayed some of his magic on the wing to seal the win.
Scorers:
Stormers: Tries: Herschel Jantjies, Paul De Wet. Conversions: Damian Willemse (2).
Sharks: Try: Aphelele Fassi, Mapimpi. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Curwin Bosch (3). Dropgoal: Curwin Bosch.
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Tyler Paul, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Henco Venter, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Madosh Tambwe.
DHL Stormers: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. Ruhan Nel, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Juarno Augustus, 7. Johan du Toit, 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. JD Schickerling, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16. Chad Solomon, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Jaco Coetzee, 21. Paul de Wet, 22. Rikus Pretorius, 23. Sergeal Petersen.