The Sharks got their 2020/21 Currie Cup campaign off to the perfect start, beating the Pumas with ease in the tournament’s opening clash at Kings Park in Durban on Friday night.
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The Sharks won 45-10 after leading 31-3 at half-time.
The Sharks outscored their opponents 7 tries to 1 to bank a full-house of five log points and for the time being at least take the lead in the Currie Cup standings.
The Pumas left empty-handed, but to their credit, despite missing a host of first-choice players, never gave up throughout the 80 minutes.
In next weekend’s Round 2 action, the Sharks will enjoy a bye, while the Pumas host Griquas in Nelspruit on Friday, December 4 at 19:00.
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SCORERS:
Sharks
Tries: Jeremy Ward (2), Sbu Nkosi (2), Sanele Nohamba, Dylan Richardson, Kerron van Vuuren
Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5)
Pumas
Try: Phumzile Maqondwana
Conversion: Ginter Smuts
Penalty: Smuts
TEAMS:
Sharks
15 Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Thembelani Bholi, 7 JJ van der Mescht, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Zain Davids, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Sbu Nkosi
Pumas
15 Devon Williams, 14 Morne Joubert, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Francois Kleinhans, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Pieter Janse van Vuren (captain), 4 Darrien Landsberg, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 HP van Schoor, 1 Liam Hendricks
Substitutes: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Wikus Groenewald, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Heath Backhouse, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Wayne van der Bank, 22 Tapiwa Mafura, 23 Dewald Maritz