The Vodacom Bulls pack of forwards battled for most of the match against a 15-man Sharks but in the end, the Sharks could hang on for a dramatic 29-22 bonus-point win.
The Bulls forwards dominated the first half and one felt that if the Bulls took their opportunities to convert penalties the difference in the score could have been a lot smaller. However, the Sharks are in the lead and should continue to an easy win.
The Bulls took control of the match after Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams was sent of with a yellow card. Unfortunately for the hosts it was too little to late, with refused opportunities to convert penalties the costly mistake made by the Bulls' leadership on the field.
10:57 Morne Steyn (Bulls) was sent off with a red card for a malicious high tackle.
11:44 Henco Venter scored the Sharks first try with a powerful run from the back of the 5m lineout. (00-07)
20:00 Despite being one man down and seven points behind the Bulls dominated the first 20 minutes with typical forward dominated rugby and set up camp for most of the first 20 minutes on the Sharks try line. The Sharks were happy to spread the ball wide with every opportunity testing the Bulls' defence at the back.
27:43 Bongi Mbonambo scored the Sharks second try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. (00-14)
38:09 Henco Venter (Sharks) was sent of with a yellow card.
38:17 A quick tap by the Bulls caught the Sharks napping and allowed Cornal Hendricks to go over in the corner for the Bulls first points of the match.
40:27 The Bulls were unable to control the ball from the kick-off and Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am collected the ball and went over in the corner for the Sharks second try. (05-19)
40:00 The Bulls forwards continued to dominate the second quarter and one felt that if the Bulls took their opportunities to convert penalties the difference in the score could have been a lot smaller. However, the Sharks are in the lead and should continue to an easy win.
43:40 Marcell Coetzee scored a forwards-try from the back of a 5m lineout-maul to narrow the gap. (12-19)
57:40 Grant Williams had an immediate impact on the game after came on the field as a replacement. A brilliant pass to an unguarded Makazole Mapimpi put the Sharks' speedster away for an easy bonus point try. (12-26)
60:00 The Bulls forwards continued their brilliant effort, however, the Sharks started to stretch the game which resulted in several gaps in the Bulls' defence starting to open up.
61:00 Grant Williams (Sharks) was sent off with a red card, reducing both teams to 14 players.
74:24 Simphiwe Matanzima force his way over the Sharks' tryline to sore the Bulls third try. (17-26)
77:24 Madosh Tambwe scored the Bulls bonus point try after a Papier break in his own half. (22-26)
80:00 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty for the visitors. (22-29)
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Henco Venter, Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi. Conversions: Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (2), Curwin Bosch. Penalty: Curwin Bosch.
Vodacom Bulls: Try: Cornal Hendricks, Marcell Coetzee, Simphiwe Matanzima, Madosh Tambwe. Conversion: Chris Smith
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Zak Burger, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Arno Botha, 6. Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Gerhard Steenekamp. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Robert Hunt, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Muller Uys, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Canan Moodie.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sibusiso Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Ruben van Heerden, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Curwin Bosch, 23. Werner Kok.