Sharks power sinks Pumas

The Cell C Sharks outmuscled and outplayed the Phakisa Pumas at Mbombela Stadium last evening. The Sharks won the Super Rugby Unlocked match 42-19, Lowvelder reports.

They outscored the Pumas four tries to one in the first half, and three tries to two in the second.

The Sharks earned a hard-fought, well-deserved win as they outclassed a valiant Pumas side.

The visitors were solid in their set pieces and brilliant on defence. They controlled the match and dominated all aspects of the game.

It did not take then long to take a commanding lead. Manie Libbok scored in the second minute when a non-existent Pumas’ defence gifted him a try.

In the 13th minute Madosh Tamdwe weaved his magic down the right touchline to wrongfoot the Pumas’ defence to score. Curwin Bosch was on target with the conversion and the Sharks held a 14-0 lead.

Dan Jooste claimed a try from a maul minutes later and Bosch gave the visitors a 21-0 lead.

The Pumas first points came from a maul with Francois Kleinhans claiming the five points and debutant, Fiela Boshoff, adding the extra two from the right touch line.

On the stroke of half time, the Sharks moved the ball across the field and Barberton-born Sbu Nkosi dotted down the right corner. Bosch converted for a 28-7 halftime lead.

The Pumas had a poor first half. That Boshoff missed two penalties, both sitters, did not help.

The Sharks made better use of their opportunities.

The home side came out breathing fire in the second half.

Erich Cronjé scored on 53 minutes. The Pumas attacked from 50 metres out, running the ball among the backs, with the big centre going over.

The Sharks hit back in the 66th minute, again with a maul, and Kerron van Vuuren claiming the five points. Bosch nailed the conversion.

Cronjé scored his second, now playing on the left wing, after the Pumas tapped and ran a penalty. Replacement fly half, Niel Marais, failed with the conversion.

The Sharks’ powerful pack again mauled the Pumas across the try line in the 77th minute with Van Vuuren adding another five points. Again Bosch was on target.

The Sharks absorbed all the Pumas threw at them in the second half. The home team could not match the visitors’ classy act. Poor decision-making, particularly on attacking line-outs, hampered the Pumas. They sometimes played high-risk rugby and it did not pay off.

The Sharks‘ forwards won them the game. They were rock-solid on defence.

The 42-19 score was a fair reflection of the game.