The Cell C Sharks reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament favourites as they kicked their way to victory and weathered a strong second-half fightback by the Reds at Growthpoint Kings Park to maintain their lead at the top of the log table.
The opening 20 minutes was a balanced contest as the hosts’ strong defence shut out the determined Reds who played with urgency and intent. The only points scored in the first 27 minutes of the match were penalties, and with the Reds infringing regularly, Pat Lambie and Frans Steyn were able to work the team into a comfortable 25-6 lead at the break with six penalties between them.
The Reds, however, hit back in the second half by dominating territory and possession and trying to kick the ball behind the Cell C Sharks’ defensive line. With their confidence up, they played their way back into the match with two second-half tries and found themselves trailing by only eight points with 17 minutes left.
But this momentum was soon lost as replacement looseforward Beau Robinson received a yellow card for dangerous play in a lineout, which the Cell C Sharks capitalised on as prop Dale Chadwick scored their second try three minutes from time for their 35-20 victory.
Of the Cell C Sharks eight victories against the Reds since 1996, this result marked the fourth time they scored 35 points or more and their fifth victory on home soil. The last time the Cell C Sharks scored 35 points or more against the Brisbane-based side was in 2007 when they registered a convincing 59-16 victory.
Scorers:
- Cell C Sharks – Tries: Dale Chadwick, Willem Alberts. Conversions: Patrick Lambie (2). Penalties: Francois Steyn (2), Lambie (5).
- Reds – Tries: Mike Harris, Will Genia. Conversions: Quade Cooper (2). Penalties: Cooper (2).
All Results – Round 5:
- Rebels 19 -25 Crusaders (Melbourne)
- Highlanders 29 – 31 Force (Dunedin)
- Brumbies 28 -23 Waratahs (Canberra)
- Cell C Sharks 35 – 20 Reds (Durban)
- Lions 39 – 36 Blues (Johannesburg)
- Hurricanes 60 – 27 Toyota Cheetahs (Wellington)
- Chiefs 36 – 20 DHL Stormers (Hamilton)
Combined Log – after Round 5:
- Cell C Sharks – 18
- Chiefs – 13
- Brumbies – 13
- Lions – 12
- Waratahs – 11
- Vodacom Bulls – 10
- Force – 10
- Reds – 9
- Crusaders – 8
- Highlanders – 7
- Blues – 7
- Hurricanes – 6
- Rebels – 6
- DHL Stormers – 5
- Toyota Cheetahs – 5
