The Sharks’ revival under interim coach JP Pietersen continued with a hard-fought win against the Vodacom Bulls at a near-capacity Kings Park on Saturday.
The hosts’ 21-12 victory – just their second in seven Vodacom URC matches this season – propels them from 14th on the log to 12th.
The Bulls, meanwhile, suffered a fifth consecutive defeat across competitions.
Johan Ackermann’s men dominated up front, and had the bulk of territory and possession, yet had just four penalties from flyhalf Handre Pollard to show for their efforts, while the Sharks scored three tries.
The Bulls came agonisingly close to scoring in the 12th minute when No 8 JJ Theron was held up from a lineout driving maul.
The visitors stormed back onto the attack through flanker Jeandre Rudolph – named Man of the Match – only for centre Harold Vorster’s pass to be incepted by Sharks fullback Hakeem Kunene, who sprinted 70m before diving under the posts.
Heat Check
This passage of play is
Kunene blazing a trail all the way to the try-line
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Pollard kicked two penalty goals for the Bulls, before Kunene had a second try ruled out when the TMO spotted a knock-on from the fullback.
Bulls centre David Kriel was then sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, but Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse missed a penalty goal while he was off and Pollard added three points to give the visitors a 9-7 lead. However, the Bok flyhalf was off-target on the stroke of half-time.
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The Bulls scrum dominated in the first half, with Wilco Louw regularly getting the better of Phatu Ganyane, and another set-piece penalty at the end of the third quarter resulted in another three points for Pollard.
But the Sharks regained the lead with 10 minutes remaining when a quick penalty tap resulted in a try to flanker Siya Kolisi, with replacement flyhalf George Whitehead adding the extras.
Winger Edwill van der Merwe then put the result beyond doubt after chasing down a kick from scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who made a telling impact off the bench.
The Sharks next host the Lions on Saturday, 3 January, while it doesn’t get any easier for the Bulls with a trip to Cape Town to face the unbeaten Stormers.
SHARKS – Tries: Hakeem Kunene, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse, George Whitehead (2).
BULLS – Penalties: Handre Pollard (4).
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