The Sharks have finally ended their wretched run of results with a nervy 10-point triumph over Irish side, Ulster, at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
Whether the Sharks have finally turned a corner in their wretched campaign remains to be seen, but credit where it’s due, they were deserved winners of this clash against Ulster.
The likes of Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch and especially Ox Nche proved why they are worthy of their world champion status. They all played beautifully to get the home side on the right side of the result.
It has to be said, though, that scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse struggled to make any real impact on the game. His form in a Sharks jersey so far this season is nothing short of mystifying and with the Test season looming, it should be of grave concern for the Springbok selectors.
SHARKS VERSUS ULSTER MATCH SUMMARY
This was by no means a quality contest, but the Sharks did well to erase a deficit and then hold onto the lead under pressure to close out the game.
Ulster scored first when Harry Sheridan got it over after a well-worked lineout move. The Sharks bit back when Mapimpi punted the ball downfield from turnover possession and rookie Ethan Hooker showed outrageous pace to get their first, creating the opportunity for Phepsi Buthelezi to touch down. Siya Masuku added the extras as the teams went into the break deadlocked at 7-7.
The Sharks were in control for large parts of the second half and were full value for their 17-7 lead, which came courtesy of a converted try and a penalty.
Ulster would close the gap to five points with the last quarter approaching to set up a grandstand finish, but Bongi Mbonambi’s try from the back of a maul sealed the win for the Sharks.
TEAMS
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 George Cronje, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Francois Venter.
Ulster: 15 Will Addison, 14 Ethan McIlroy, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mike Lowry, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 David McCann, 6 Harry Sheridan, 5 Iain Henderson (captain), 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Matty Rea, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Jude Postlethwaite, 23 Sean Reffell.
Sharks vs Ulster full time graphic. Image: @SharksRugby.
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