Competitive rugby returned to South Africa when the Sharks beat the Lions 19-16 in the first match of the Super Rugby Unlocked campaign.
Sharks 19-16 Lions: Super Rugby Unlocked Match report
The Sharks opened the match with great intensity dominating early possession and territory.
After refusing a shot at goal and blowing a lineout inside the Lions’ half the Sharks kept coming as if Kings Park was not an empty cauldron but filled with the Black and White army.
Lukhanyo Am provided the moment of inspiration that set Sevens star Werner Kok in for his first try in a Sharks jersey, and Curwin Bosch added the two from the tee to give the home side an early 7-0 lead.
Watch: Werner Kok scores the first try of Super Rugby Unlocked
The Lions squandered their best chances to strike by setting up lineouts inside the Sharks 22 twice only to lose the ball straight away.
Bosch would twice stretch the Sharks lead from the tee after Lions’ indiscretions and on the half hour, they led 13-0.
Shortly afterwards Jantjies finally opened the scoring for the Lions after the Sharks infringed directly after the restart.
The Lions enjoyed a threatening spell before half-time but twice turned down the shot at goal as they went oin search of a try.
The Sharks held firm though and would go into the break with a 13-3 lead after a multi-phase attack from the Lions ended in a penalty at the breakdown.
Half-time
Bosch and Jantjies missed early chances to get their team’s on the board in the second period.
After Jantjies second miss the Sharks tried a cheeky drop out that backfired and left the hosts under pressure.
Jantjies took a quick cross-kick penalty that allowed Jamba Ulengo to score the Lions first try. Jantjies nailed a great conversion after setting up the try.
Watch: Jantjies catches the Sharks napping
Soon after Bosch made the most of a scrum-time penalty to push the Sharks back out to a six-point lead.
Errors began to dominate the game, and before the hour the Lions got back to within three as Jantjies kicked his second penalty goal.
Jantjies had the scores level from the tee soon afterwards, but the Lions couldn’t stay ahead conceding another penalty not too long afterwards and allowing Bosch to make it 19-16 in then Sharks favour.
The Lions had a number of chances to take hold of the game but were imprecise in the strike zone and would pay for it.
Jantjies slammed a penalty kick that would have levelled the scores against the uprights and despite a nervy end to the game the Sharks held on to clinch a 19-16 win.
Sharks number eight Sikhumbuzo Notshe won the man of the match award.
The Sharks take four log points from the match and go to the head of the log for now while the Lions earn a losing bonus point.
Sharks vs Lions: Relive Super Rugby Unlocked action here
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Super Rugby Unlocked teams
Sharks
Starting XV: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Celimpilo Gumede, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Thaakir Abrahams
Lions
Starting XV: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Dillon Smit; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements (from): 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Gianni Lombard, 24 Wandisile Simelane, 25 Ruan Dreyer.
