Lambie makes heroic return to the Sharks

The Cell C Sharks playing like the champion team fans know and love, set Growthpoint King’s Park on fire with roaring cheers as crowd excitement mounted with every point scored.

The Sharks’ unexpected 32-15 thrashing of the Hurricanes was a superb reward for loyal fans who faithfully filled their seats week after week amid dwindling crowd support at the stadium.

Saturday’s win puts the Sharks in second place on the log, one point behind the Lions in the Super Rugby Africa Conference 2. Although the Sharks have played one more game than every other team in the conference, they have a controlling 14 point lead over their nearest rivals, the Jaguares, who they will be facing this Saturday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Hurricanes dominated the first half but the Sharks’ defense restricted them to only one try. Managing to avoid conceding unnecessary penalties counted in the Sharks’ favor and kept them in the game.

Sharks’ fans were disappointed when an early try by Paul Jordaan was disallowed due to a forward pass but were elated when JP Pietersen finished off some sterling team work with a try just before half time which secured the half time lead for the Sharks.

Early in the second half, Pietersen dove over for his second try of the day, after capitalising on a poor pass by the Crusaders. From then on the Sharks were unstoppable with scrum-half, Michael Claassens and flanker, Daniel du Preez adding to the Sharks’ try tally.

Returning from injury, Patrick Lambie substituted Garth April on fly-half,  30 minutes before the end.

Leaving the field, April, who have been an absolute star fly-half of late, received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Lambie, sidelined with a serious shoulder injury since February,  sent his first kick back from injury straight through the uprights, causing the crowd to erupt in joyous cheers and at one stage chanted Lambie’s name.

Flanker, Keegan Daniel, who has made a noticeable difference to the side since his return home, was named man of the match.

The Sharks leave for Argentina on Wednesday to face a dangerous Jaguares side on Saturday on their home turf in Bueunos Aires. The Sharks defeated the Jaguares in their last Super Rugby encounter in Durban 19-15.

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