Cell C Sharks Make it Four from Four – Featured Durban Blog

The Cell C Sharks remain unbeaten in this year’s Currie Cup following a tense but gratifying 26-19 victory over the Blue Bulls at Growthpoint KINGS PARK on Saturday evening.

On a warm, early spring evening, two sides hammered away at each other in an entertaining and exciting clash, to the biggest match of the Cell C Sharks’ campaign.

The game was played at a ferocious pace throughout with absolutely no holding back from either side, a testament to the history between the two sides and the healthy rivalry they enjoy.

Initially there was some enterprise on attack for the home side before the Bulls looked to inject their own brand of rugby, not too dissimilar, as they ran the ball effectively, but without managing to trouble the scorers.

But a sustained build-up with the Cell C Sharks stuck in their 22 saw the Bulls splitting the defence and Jamba Ulengo scoring the opening try of the game, just shy of the 10 minute mark. Tian Schoeman converted to give his side the early lead.

The Bulls employed the high kick and chase tactic well, something they’ve done for years, and the territorial gains indicated that it is a ploy that still works for them.

Curwin Bosch kicked a long range penalty as the second quarter arrived to cut the lead to four points, but it was restored to seven at a scrum penalty not long afterwards.

A near repeat long range penalty saw Bosch once more whittle down the visitors’ lead after the Cell C Sharks scrum obliterated the Blue Bulls’ pack, and then Ruan Steenkamp was yellow carded for a spear tackle which fortunately did not result in serious injury to Jean-Luc du Preez.

The extra man paid dividends as the Cell C Sharks took advantage of the numbers advantage with a great build-up to a strong drive from Ruan Botha, the 2.06m tall lock powering over with support from his partner in the second row.

Bosch added the extras and the home side held a three point lead with half-time beckoning – it was a lead they would not relinquish despite great pressure from the visitors.

But there was still time for more before the whistle indicating the break. A scrum was awarded following a poor kick-off, time was up but there was still the opportunity to snatch points, Bosch striking a valuable drop-goal to extend the lead to six, his team going into the break with a 16-10 lead, having struck an important psychological blow at a crucial time in the game.

The Cell C Sharks had to defend for the early stages of the second half as the Blue Bulls, back to 15 men, attacked with vigour, but the defence was heroic as they managed to steal possession twice when it appeared that some score was in the offing.

The Bulls finally managed to get back on the scoreboard with a scrum penalty after 10 minutes of second half play, but the game ignited into life when Lwazi Mvovo countered from turnover ball, made a wonderful break before keeping the ball alive and Curwin Bosch scored in the corner, to have earned a full house of scoring. He converted his try from the touchline as the Cell C Sharks pulled ahead into a 10 point lead.

A third penalty for Schoeman saw his team to within a converted try as the game reached the final quarter and then a fourth meant the lead was down to just four points

With less than five minutes remaining, Bosch kicked an important penalty to put pressure back on the Blue Bulls, but inside the final minute, the Bulls had one last chance to win the game, but given the opportunity, failed to close it out.

“It was tough from the first minute to the 80th,” said captain Keegan Daniel afterwards. On Man of the Match Curwin Bosch, Daniel was thrilled with the fullback’s effort on the night.

“Curwin has been earmarked from a young age and has stepped up to the plate. As a youngster, he has a bright future ahead of him.”