The Sharks were in fine form at GrowthPoint Kings Park as they created try-scoring chances at will and capitalised on most of them to register their first 50-point score this season. In total the team crossed the tryline seven times, while the Toyota Free State Cheetahs ground out only two tries as breakdown turnovers and mistakes at crucial times disrupted their momentum.
Such was the high quality of the Sharks’ performance they secured their bonus-point try by the 44th minute and they continued to apply pressure until the dying minutes. The team’s attack and defence functioned well and they balanced this with solid set pieces. The return of hard-working Springbok flank Marcell Coetzee was also evident as he put his body on the line to earn the man-of-the-match award. These positives aside, the Durban team will have to improve their discipline with the semifinal-stages approaching as Cheetahs flyhalf Riaan Smit slotted over four penalties to earn his team a respectable score.
Scorers:
- The Sharks 50 (26) – Tries: Cobus Reinach, Heimar Williams, Keegan Daniel, Lwazi Mvovo (2), SP Marais, Tim Whitehead. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (3). Penalties: Zeilinga (3).
- Toyota Free State Cheetahs 26 (16) – Tries: AJ le Roux, Raymond Rhule. Conversions: Riaan Smit (2). Penalties: Smit (4).
Absa Currie Cup Premier Division log:
- Sharks – 24
- Western Province – 24
- Golden Lions – 20
- FS Cheetahs – 16
- Blue Bulls – 11
- Griquas – 10
