First-half try: Fred Michalak
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The Sharks kept their play-off hopes very much alive after recording a 25-20 victory over conference rivals the Stormers at Kings Park on Saturday.
The men from Durban had built a decent 25-6 lead only moments after the break but were then made to sweat as the Capetonians launched a spirited fightback, sparked by Gio Aplon's brace.
However, South Africa's current third-ranked franchise managed to weather their visitors' late charge to claim a crucial win for their campaign.
Victory leaves the in-form Sharks five points off the Stormers and only three from the second-placed Bulls in their conference as Super Rugby nears its month-long break for the June internationals.
After a tense opening to the game, Peter Grant kicked the visitors in front in the ninth minute when Lwazi Mvovo was caught offside, with Patrick Lambie replying instantly after the Stormers were penalised at the ruck.
An error from tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis, who failed to roll away, allowed fly-half Grant another shot at goal that was sent over.
The Sharks scored the opening try in the seventeenth minute when Frederic Michalak's initial up-and-under caused problems in the visiting defence, with a quick tap-and-go penalty by Charl McLeod leading to the Frenchman collecting and dotting down courtesy of some good hand work on the line.
Lambie converted and added a penalty just before the half-hour mark to take the lead out to seven for the hosts, before that was stretched to fourteen four minutes before the break.
John Plumtree's men turned over a scrum in the build-up to their second try, before some quick ball was followed by skipper Keegan Daniel spotting a gap and making his way over.
The hosts continued to dominate after the restart with Mvovo crossing on the left for his seventh try of the season after taking a slick pass by Marcell Coetzee, although a tough conversion attempt was this time squandered by Lambie.
But the visitors scored their first try in the 53rd minute when Michalak's loose pass led to Aplon collecting and the Springbok back darted almost 70 metres to score.
The visitors got their reward with seven minutes to play when Aplon danced his way through a non-existent defence by running 35 metres untouched to score under the post. Grant converted the try, but the Sharks held on for a key victory in the South African conference.
The scorers:
For Sharks:
Tries: Michalak, Daniel, Mvovo
Con: Lambie 2
Pen: Lambie 2
For Stormers:
Try: Aplon 2
Con: Grant 2
Pen: Grant 2
Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (capt), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Odwa Ndungane, 22 Louis Ludik.
Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (capt), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Don Armand, 20 Nick Fenton-Wells, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Burton Francis.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Comments
martinmarais78 says...
Feed me, please! :) :)
Posted 17:17 28th May 2012
Lucasrg says...
Well done Sharks, nice game, I knew they could do it.
They seems more hungry at every breakdowns then the Stormers. They move like a unit. Great synergies during the first half gave them the deserved lead.
Funny moment: when for the second time the Beast held his mate capsized, you can see du Plessis smiling at his mate...lol.
I hope they will not go too overconfident with that trick as they could get seriously injured...anyway it's a great moment for the fans.
Go Sharks
Posted 12:39 28th May 2012
Ruggernaut says...
@PR - can you tell us why a trouble maker like Martin Marais is able to carry on with abusive and offensive commenting on this site? Was this not meant to be a rugby site? Should we rather register elsewhere to keep in touch with fellow rugby supporters around the globe? Anybody thinking of a Facebook page where we all can chat about every weekend's games around the world?
The editor says.... @Ruggernaut - Our advice is, don't feed the troll. He doesn't deserve attention. If you want to chat about rugby, try our forum: http://forum.planet-rugby.com
Posted 10:15 28th May 2012
martinmarais78 says...
Geeze, you guys are really thick and naive (like typical Shark fans :)) to take a bite every time on the good old 'strond' i throw at you...
Here is a tip: STOP RESPONDING TO MY COMMENTS, I AM TAKING THE PISS OUT OF YOU!!! Cheers Daibok, you were the cherry!
Nag ou grote! The rest of my 3 PR profiles will keep you entertained :)
Posted 17:11 27th May 2012
new_j4a says...
In Martin's defense, anyone who had drunk as much Klipdift as he has would be comatose and not just stupid. I kind of like the guy and miss his incoherent anti shark ramblings when he slips into unconciousness for a few weeks....he's a bit like that really bad pothole in the road on the way to a beautiful beach. If you know where he is and remember to swerve, you can avoid him completely. I think PR should give him a special feature whenever the Sharks win, ...call it Utter Kak or something.
Posted 16:04 27th May 2012
JayStarr says...
@ martinmarais78: You did not just try and connect n_j4a's comments to racism..! What next? I'm a nazi for saying what I'm about to say now? Well here goes anyway:
Your apartheid comment is taking you beyond ridiculous now. And frankly, I too am fed up with your nonsense. Unless you drop your Sharks b*llsh!t, grow up and start offering something constructive to these discussions and arguments, I think the rest of us should petition to have you removed from the comment walls - because it seems like you're simply using it as a platform to play out your narcissistic fantasies. You get some power high from making these comments, upsetting people and getting all these responses - no matter how negative...
Well this is a rugby site, where we comment on rugby games and other rugby going-ons. But all you ever do is torture us with your same-old same-old ridiculous, obsessive (and fake?) Sharks-bashing to get attention.
Well you've got my attention now, but it is to tell you start acting your age and stop this Sharks (and now apartheid) b*llsh!t. If you don't, then I will start a petition with the other members of the PR community to have you removed. I'm sure there many people who would sign in an instant.
I have no doubt that you are capable of acting like an adult and talking sense sometimes, because there have been many (non-Sharks) occassions where you have done so.
Posted 12:54 27th May 2012
Ruggernaut says...
The Sharks showed the rest of the competition how to beat the Stormers. Aggression upfront, creative attacking in the backline and loose forwards which double-up as fetchers and powerful scrummagers. Very proud of my team. They've done well and deserved this telling victory. Stormers will need to go back to the drawing board I'm afraid. Other good teams will now fancy their chances against the men from the Cape.
Posted 12:03 27th May 2012
Sveniwitch says...
What is that about mercenaries martin? Grant, Habanna, van den Heever, Brok Harris, tiaan liebenberg, jeb sinclair and the stormers looking to buy Tod Clever? Is this a plastic culture taking place in the cape of good hope? An what the hell does the apartheid secret police have to do with any rugby related subject?? Just admit the stormers did not have the greatest game ever, it was bound to happen somewhere through the season. Good luck for the game against the bulls
Posted 10:22 27th May 2012
tha_mai says...
trinats - re Jannie du Plessis and penalties, he doesn't feature in the top 20. Matthew Hodgson of the Force has been #1 for weeks, still gives them away and on 23 after round 13. Waratahs' Dean Mumm next on 20.
At least the Force may win something this season!
Posted 09:45 27th May 2012
Daibok says...
Martinmarais you truly are pathetic.
Apartheid? Police brutality? I dont know why PR publishes your drivel. You know nothing about the game and certainly have no love of it. Unable to give respect to opponents and fellow posters. If I were a Stormers fan I would disown you.
Get a life.
Posted 09:33 27th May 2012
philipjfry says...
@martinmarais78: 'your wife insulting comments remind me of of the old apartheid security police that beated us up in the old SA... You miss those days hay?'
I must admit I don't see the connection with apartheid and, because you mentioned it, I'll hazard a guess that you would have liked to be part of the security police so you could assault people in the old SA. Food for thought.
Posted 09:01 27th May 2012
new_j4a says...
@martinmarais, Sorry man! Deep apologies. I thought that I was complimenting the formidable Mrs. Marais's good taste in rugby and men, not insulting her? And you still seem to be hung up on pot and surfers. Is this because you know so little about rugby.....or just a hatred of any lifestyle that in the good old days when you last had a job, threatened your employment as a BOSS informant?
Posted 08:57 27th May 2012
martinmarais78 says...
Newj4a, your wife insulting comments remind me of of the old apartheid security police that beated us up in the old SA... You miss those days hay?
Back to the game, it looks like the mercenaries of world rugby has finally got things together. Just wondering how they will return after the 3 week 'rest' ahead... Sitting on the beach, smoking pot with their surfer buddies for 3 weeks will definately have a negative impact on their returning form...
Posted 08:16 27th May 2012
Ramage says...
What a most ungracious statement martinmarais78 your hatred of the Sharks has blinded you. The Sharks well won,played the positive rugby and deserved their win. The score flattered the Stormers especially when you consider the amazing forward pass missed by all the officials that led to the second try and the fact the first try was not one constructed by the Stormers but gifted by the Sharks. Congratulations to the Sharks you fully deserved your win and makes the South African conference very interesting. Perhaps the Stormers are not as invincible as many thought, time will tell.
Posted 05:34 27th May 2012
noord_transvaal says...
ag shame, poor Stormers! now Loftus awaits next week to rub salt into the wounds. Old mr Safehands must be crying into his papsak tonight. Stormers finally caught out for the one dimensional game they play. Score ten points boys, then defend, defend, defend! Oops!
Posted 05:00 27th May 2012
Rugbyphile says...
Jean de Villiers --Habana-- will be picked against England but let us ask ourselves why? Because they have played before? The Stormers backs look like they hardly know each other and what they do know they don't much like. Not a combination but individuals .
Posted 01:45 27th May 2012
Carpelone says...
First half was very well played, that was the rugby I like,
A bunch of promising youngsters are stepping in and I can see extremely good results at hand in the Championship.
Coetzee impressed, Mvovo impressed, Lambie is acquiring a composure that will make him a rugby test star.
Pity for the pouring rain in the second half (but that's Durban), we could have seen more.
VdH did not impressed, although he seemed as he lost some weight at last.
The Beast is a legend, not only because he managed to hold his teammate capsized. However, he mst be careful at scrum, as he tends to bore in on the hooker, come the Test Matches.
All in all, good news for the Boks.
Finally, Peyper was outstanding,
Posted 00:21 27th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
martinmarais78:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DksSPZTZES0
Posted 23:44 26th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
Good to see the Sharks get up. Getting congested at the top of the log now.
Luckily there was a French player in this game, otherwise it would have ended up a typical saffa kicking fest. Viva Le Sharks !!!
Is Jannie du Plessis taking over the most penalised player title from McCaw ?
Posted 23:42 26th May 2012
isthatrightref says...
Bad news for the Highlanders, they'll now need other results to go their way if they're to qualify - Crusaders, Chiefs & Rids to come then the bye last up so it's gonna be a tough road.
Sharks have 2 probable wins (Lions & Cheetahs), a 50/50 v Bulls at home plus a bye which should be enough for them to finish 6th & book a visit to Canberra. Stormers have Bulls away (narrow loss?) then Lions, Rebels & Cheetahs for 3 wins but unless they suddenly start scoring tries they'll finish 4th imo, 2nd if they knock the Bulls over.
Posted 23:38 26th May 2012