Beastly Sharks feast on Lions
Tendai Mtawarira scored twice as the Sharks overwhelmed the Lions 33-5 in their final Super 14 pre-season match in Durban on Wednesday.
Tendai Mtawarira scored twice as the Sharks overwhelmed the Lions 33-5 in their final Super 14 pre-season match in Durban on Wednesday.
A crowd of about 7 000 turned out to watch the Sharks get the better of the visitors on a warm, humid evening, outscoring the Lions by five tries to one.
Mtawarira, a cult figure in Durban who goes by the nickname of Beast, scored either side of the half-time break in a game used by both teams for final experimentation before the tournament proper gets underway next week.
The Sharks were full value for their win, but both sides would have rued missed chances – the result of the difficult conditions common in Durban in February, with the ball taking on the characteristics of a bar of soap.
The game was anything but a 'friendly' as at times niggle crept into the game and referee Craig Joubert had his hands full.
The Sharks were made to pay for some disciplinary lapses, as World Cup prop Jannie du Plessis was red carded in the first half after a punch-up.
For the home crowd there was an early disappointment, when World Cup-winning star Francois Steyn was ruled out just before the game.
His replacement at fullback, JP Pietersen, also only lasted for about 20 minutes before leaving the field with a strain.
The Lions initially put up some strong resistance. However, deadlock was broken after 25 minutes, when Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski scored a try in the corner and Ruan Pienaar converted brilliantly to make it 7-0.
Just on the break the crowd favourite, Mtawarira, went over in the corner for his first try and Pienaar again converted to make it 14-0.
The Lions made numerous changes going into the second session.
Early in this half the Lions threatened through Earl Rose, but the Sharks defence held firm.
However, it was the Sharks who looked to have gained more momentum and Mtawarira went over for his second score.
Further tries through Henno Mentz and Albert van den Bergh sealed the game, with Heinke van der Merwe getting a consolation score for the visitors.
What would have been pleasing to coach Dick Muir was how new captain Johann Muller managed to lead his team through the early-match-jitters and mistakes – ensuring they took command as the game went on.
Forwards coach John Plumtree will also be happy with the showing of his pack – who not only stole a number of line-out balls from the Lions, but at one stage scrummed the Lions back five metres.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Kankowski, Mtawarira 2, Mentz, Botes
Cons: Ruan Pienaar 4
For the Lions:
Try: Van der Merwe
Teams:
Sharks: 15 JP Pietersen, 14 Stefan Terblanche, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Frédéric Michalak, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 AJ Venter, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Johan Ackermann, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements (from): Kees Lensing, Craig Burden, Albert van den Berg, Andries Strauss, Johan Snyman, Rory Kockott, Nikolai Blignaut, Jean Deysel, Adi Jacobs, Robbie Harris, BJ Botha.
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 12 Thabang Molefe, 11 Heini Gordon, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 RW Kember, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Wilhelm Koch, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Cobus Grobler, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements (from): Heinke van der Merwe, Ashton Constant, Eugene Maqwelana, Alten Hulme, Roland Bernard, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jano Vermaak, Louis Strydom, Rayno Benjamin, Walter Venter, Doppies la Grange, Jaco Pretorius, Dusty Noble, Louis Ludik.
Date: Wednesday, 6 February
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert