After a thrilling opening weekend of action in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA as the Cell C Sharks hosted the Emirates Lions in Durban. The Sharks started like on a house on fire and remained in the lead to win with ease with 34-26.
03:55 From the kick-off, the Lions made mistakes and put themselves under pressure. A maul from a 5m lineout allowed the Sharks' Jeremy Ward to score an easy try. (07-00)
07:06 The Lions responded almost immediately and used their forwards to maul over for their first points of the match. (07-05)
16:04 A great grubber by Curwin Bosch allowed scrumhalf, Grant Williams to fall on the ball. (14-00)
29:15 Thomas du Toit finished a well-worked move by the Sharks with several players handling the ball (21-05).
33:12 Curwin Bosch converts a penalty (24-05)
37:51 The Lions has increased their intensity with Andre Warner scoring a well-deserved try. (24-12)
The Lions has upped their intensity during the last ten minutes of the game. This gave them more quality ball to attack with which they must use better in the second half.
51:51 Curwin Bosch slots his second penalty. (27-12) The Sharks at this stage with only 13 men on the field due to two yellow cards.
54:12 The Lions receive just reward for their consistent attack when Francke Horne crossed the SHarks' line. (27-19)
57:40 The Sharks replied almost immediately when Kerron van Vuuren control the ball from a maul. (34-19)
80:00 The Lions have the last say in the match with a great power try.
The last ten minutes of the game were scrappy with both sides losing their interest in the game. The Sharks deserved winners at the end with 34-26.
Scorers:
Sharks: Tries: Jeremy Ward, Grant Williams, Thomas du Toit, Kerron van Vuuren. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (4). Penalties: Curwin Bosch (2).
Emirates Lions: Tries: PJ Botha, Andre Warner, Francke Horn, Vincent Tshituka. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (3), Jordan Hendrikse .
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. André Warner; 8. Francke Horn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. MJ Pelser, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. PJ Botha, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Len Massyn, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Jordan Hendrikse, 23. Burger Odendaal.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (C), 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Yaw Penxe, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Werner Kok.