adminDurban – The Sharks began the new Jake White-era with an impressive 31-16 bonus-point victory over the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday night.Patrick Lambie scored a late try after the final hooter had sounded to secure the additional log point and complete a personal match haul of 16 points.
First-half tries by Paul Jordaan, Cobus Reinach and Odwa Ndungane had earlier put the hosts on top, while the visitors, who welcomed the return of Springbok legend Victor Matfield in the second half, scored a late consolation through Jonathan Ross.
The match was one of two on the opening weekend of the competition and director of rugby White will be delighted with a dream debut for one of the competition favourites.
The Sharks began their season well as Lambie kicked over the first points four minutes into the game after a penalty was awarded against Werner Kruger for not releasing.
It was level not long after, though, as Louis Fouche sent over a drop goal, before the opening try after 10 minutes.
Lwazi Mvovo was the initiator as he broke free through the middle, sped away 15 metres and then offloaded to Jordaan to score.
Lambie missed the conversion after which a Fouche penalty cut the gap to two before the opening quarter. But more pressure from the hosts in the 21st minute led to the second try, which came when Reinach intercepted a Francois Hougaard pass deep inside the Bulls’ 22-metre area and dotted down untouched.
Another uncharacteristic Lambie miss, the Sharks number 10 finally found his range with a penalty after the half-hour.
Fouche cancelled it out with a long-range three-pointer three minutes short of the interval, but there was still time for a third Sharks’ score.
Francois Steyn’s cross-field kick was caught by Ndungane and he barged over after the hooter had sounded for a converted score.
The gap was 14 at the break and after the restart, it was extended to 17 through another Lambie penalty after Dean Greyling was off-side.
It came moments after Matfield was introduced in the 45th minute – the World Cup winner making a return to rugby after retiring two years ago.
However, he failed to make much of an attacking impact for the Bulls. With 14 minutes to play, the Sharks were reduced to 14 men after a yellow card was shown to Jean Deysel for repeated infringements.
The Bulls capitalised on their advantage and flanker Ross forced his way over, following a maul. With the clock winding down, Bjorn Basson was sin-binned for a deliberate knock down and the Sharks eventually forced their way over on the right after repeatedly recycling.
Meanwhile, the Lions kicked off this year’s Super Rugby competition with a bang, beating the Cheetahs 21-20 in the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff kicked all the points for the visitors and sunk the hosts with a drop goal in the final minute.
The Cheetahs would be devastated after dominating most of the play, exploiting the inexperienced side the Lions brought to the City of Roses.
Many of the visiting team earned their first Super Rugby cap against the Cheetahs, but it was the superior performance by Boshoff which pulled it through for the Lions.
The Cheetahs started at a frantic pace and had two kickable penalties inside the first five minutes. Springbok fly half Johan Goosen however struggled with his boot and squandered both opportunities.
The Lions’ defence held their own and progressed into the Cheetahs’ half where Boshoff kicked a penalty after referee Craig Joubert reversed one awarded to the Cheetahs. Goosen levelled the scores with his third attempt.
The Cheetahs scored the first try of the 2014 competition after Springbok full back Willie le Roux broke through and handed off to winger Raymond Rhule to score in the corner.
Goosen converted to give the hosts a comfortable lead after 20 minutes. – Sport24.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu