Photo by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
The Cell C Sharks won their second match of their Australasian tour when they physically overpowered a very willing Rebels team with 36-17. It was a fast-paced, physical game. The pace of the Sharks' play added significant pressure to the Rebels' effort in defence. Rebels showed some positive signs but in only spurts and did not make the most of some key attacking opportunities.
In a very physical first quarter of the match, the Cell C Sharks seemingly are starting to get the upper hand with the second try of the Cell C Sharks by Captain Esterhuizen a brilliant example of the power play of the Cell C Sharks. The Cell C Sharks leading 12-7 after the first twenty minutes of play.
The Cell C Sharks lead the Rebels 22-10 at half time after a very messy final five minutes from the Rebels that gave the Sharks some extra attacking momentum. It was an arm-wrestle to that point although the feeling was the Sharks had the upper hand overall. The visitors' defence was also outstanding making it hard for the Rebels to get past them. Rebels conceded 5 penalties to the Sharks' 3 and were very poor at the lineout in that first 40.
Although the Cell C Sharks was reduced to 13 men for five minutes the Rebels slowly but surely started to win the physical battles and disrupting the lineouts of the Cell C Sharks. The Rebels rewarded with a try for their efforts to trail by 17-22 at the end of the third quarter.
Two tries in the final quarter gave the Sharks a deserving 36-17 win with the Rebels going home thinking that they deserved a bit more on the scoreboard. A try by the Rebels minutes before the siren has removed the bonus point from the Cell C Sharks that could prove vital at the end of the season.
Scorers:
Rebels: Tries: Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Anaru Rangi. Conversions: Andrew Deegan (3) Penalty: Andrew Deegan
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (2), Andre Esterhuizen, Madosh Tambwe, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (4) Penalty: Curwin Bosch
The teams:
Rebels – 15. Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14. Andrew Kellaway, 13. Campbell Magnay, 12. Billy Meakes, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Andrew Deegan, 9. Ryan Louwrens, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. Richard Hardwick, 6. Michael Wells, 5. Matt Philip, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 2. Steven Misa, 1. Matt Gibbon. Replacements: 16. Anaru Rangi, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Angus Cottrell, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Tom English.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Jeremy Ward, 12. Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Sanele Nohamba, 8. Sikumbuzo 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. Miami Majola, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Hence Venter, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Lwazi Mvovo.