The Cell C Sharks suffered a last gasp 27-30 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their Loftus Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash on Saturday.
Going into injury time play, the teams were deadlocked on 27 points apiece, this after the game was sitting at 13-all at half-time, but it was the home side who head for the semi-finals with a drop-goal to wrestle the win.
The set-piece was always going to be keenly contested and it was the Cell C Sharks who prevailed at the first scrum, a dominant effort that led to a kickable penalty that flyhalf Curwin Bosch converted to give his team the lead in the opening 10 minutes.
However the Bulls struck back with a try against the run of play, turning adversity into points as they got out of jail after being on a penalty warning before the referee called advantage over.
However, what was expected to be a tight match quickly erupted into a points’ fest after the Bulls knocked the kick-off on and then conceded a penalty which Bosch sent to touch before Bongi Mbonambi was driven over for the Cell C Sharks first try minutes later. With Bosch converting, the Durbanites held a 10-7 lead inside the first quarter.
The Bulls equalised shortly afterwards with their first penalty and then pushed hard for another score, enjoying momentum for nearly 10 minutes during which the Cell C Sharks’ defence was severely tested, but managed to handle everything the hosts threw at them.
However the Bulls finally pressed ahead with a second penalty just after the half hour mark to take back the lead, albeit by just three points.
When the momentum shifted back in the Cell C Sharks favour, they were made to work hard for their gains and when the Bulls conceded a lineout penalty, Bosch made no mistake, bringing the teams level again just before the stroke of half-time and that’s how the teams went into the change-rooms at the break, with the score level at 13-all.
The Bulls managed to build scoresheet pressure in the second half with two converted tries and at 27-13 ahead with half an hour to play, things looked ominous.
Heading for the final quarter, some good work on the break from eighthman Phepsi Buthelezi set up the fight back and Jaden Hendrikse was on hand to score after Makazole Mapimpi had got close to the line. Bosch’s conversation made it a seven point game.
Rising to the challenge, the Cell C Sharks worked hard for the equaliser which eventually came with five minutes remaining, Sikhumbuzo Notshe getting over and Bosch converting to set-up a thrilling finale.
Sadly, the drop-goal in the final moments put paid to the Cell C Sharks’ ambitions to close out a promising first season of URC action.
The post Gallant Effort appeared first on The Sharks.
Vodacom Bulls vs Cell C Sharks Rugby Match Preview:
The Cell C Sharks are in Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final action today when the Vodacom Bulls host them in Pretoria after the conclusion of 18 rounds of excitement.
This maiden year for the South African sides in the URC had some early frustrations, but it’s been a positive and successful run towards the knockout stages with three of the four local sides finishing in the top 5.
The Bulls have been much-hyped for this knockout clash and Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt admits that his team are more than comfortable with that scenario.
“The underdog tag suits us and the guys are very motivated by that,” he said in the lead-up to the game.
“We know the Bulls are formidable at home but we’ve had success here already in the tournament and the guys aren’t too daunted by the prospect.”
Despite all the media hype around this game, Everitt admitted that the team hasn’t allowed this to impact on their preparations.
“You have to focus on yourself in quarter-finals because anyone from one to eight has an opportunity in this competition to win it.
“Knockout stages are all about being in it and we’re certainly there. We feel that we’ve played good rugby along the way to get to where we are. Unfortunately we didn’t get the result we wanted against Ulster, but that doesn’t make us a bad team.
“So we take a lot of confidence out of our performances of late and certainly against the Bulls in the URC.”
Having beaten the Pretoria side home and away this season (30-16 and 29-22 respectively), Everitt felt that team improvements in recent times have earned the deserved rewards.
“If you look at the Cell C Sharks over the last couple of years, our set-piece has got a lot better and when we played them at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, we were quite dominant there. But they have also improved their set-piece.
“Add set-piece success to defence and territory – those three things go together.
“But anything can happen on the day and we just need to focus on our processes and play with discipline.”
With this being a knockout game, where there is no picking yourself up after a loss and giving it another go next week, Everitt warned that focus is vital.
“You can’t have soft moments defensively in knockout stages because with the pressure and motivation – for both sides – it’s really difficult to get across the line and so you can’t give any easy shots away.”
With a number of Rugby World Cup winners in his side, including the Springbok captain, the Cell C Sharks coach admitted that importance contributions were expected from his senior players who have tasted success on the international stage.
“Our big players need to stand up, not only them, but all 23 who play.
“But they do have experience of knockout games in the World Cup which is the pinnacle of rugby.
“Thank goodness we have them to lean on, that will give everyone within the group confidence. But I’m quite sure the calibre of player they are with their character, they’ll be on top of their game.”
The post Vodacom Bulls vs Cell C Sharks Rugby Match Preview appeared first on The Sharks.
Click here to submit your News – free.
Have you tried: Videos From PE?
Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: Appropriately named “South Africa’s Garden Province”, the lush and green KwaZulu-Natal province forms the east coast of South Africa from the Mozambique boundary southwards to Port Edward. The coastline is dotted with small towns, many of which serve as seasonal recreational hubs. The climate of the coastal areas is humid and subtropical, comparable to southern Florida in the United States, but not quite as hot and rainy in the summer. As one moves further north, up the coast towards the border of Mozambique, the climate becomes almost purely tropical. North of Durban is locally referred to as “The North Coast”, while south is known as “The South Coast”. The Kwazulu-Natal Tourist board includes towns like Margate, Port Shepstone, Scottburgh and Port Edward in its definition of what constitutes the South Coast, while Ballito, Umhlanga and Salt Rock are quintessentially North Coast resort towns.
Watch a Video:
