Curwin Bosch scored 27 points as the Sharks secured an impressive 37-14 win over the Waratahs in Durban on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Look out for the Sharks. This was a performance that sent out a resounding statement as they produced a clinical, well-rounded display to completely outclass the Waratahs.
Before this encounter, the Sharks collected five log points on their tour to Australia, but this was a performance that should provide them with real confidence that they can contest at the business end of the competition.
WATCH: Highlights of Sharks vs Waratahs
As it was, the Sharks came into this clash on the back of a thrilling win over the Brumbies in Canberra, and they seemed to ride that wave of momentum into what was their first game at home.
They made the perfect start when Tera Mtembu scored after just a couple of minutes of play, but there would have been fears around the disruption caused when captain Pat Lambie had to be replaced when he suffered an injury soon after.
However, his replacement, Bosch, slotted in and slotted two penalties to settle any nerves, while Brumbies flank Jack Dempsey was sent to the sin bin to add to the visitors' woes.
It was that man Bosch who then popped up to pounce on a loose ball and dart over to score under the posts, with that score sending the Sharks into a commanding 18-0 lead just after the quarter-hour mark.
With the hosts dominating proceedings on attack and defence, their confidence appeared to grow, and despite a try to Waratahs star Israel Folau, Bosch responded with two more penalties.
It left the Sharks handily placed with a 24-7 lead, but they weren’t done yet as another Waratahs error enabled winger Kobus van Wyk to break away for another try that sent the hosts into a 31-7 lead at the break.
That was effectively an unassailable lead, and although the Tahs briefly threatened a comeback when Folau scored early in the second half, the Sharks shut the shop from there.
Two more penalties from Bosch kept the scoreboard ticking, and ensured that the Sharks built further momentum as they completed a highly impressive victory.
Sharks – Tries: Tera Mtembu, Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk. Conversions: Bosch (2). Penalties: Bosch (6).
Waratahs – Tries: Israel Folau (2). Conversions: Reece Robinson (2).
Sharks – 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean- Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Curwin Bosch.
Waratahs – 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 David McDuling, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 David Lolohea, 19 Senio Toleafoa, 20 Maclean Jones, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 David Horwitz, 23 Cameron Clark.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
