Siya Kolisi scores on Sharks return as Springboks stars put champions Glasgow Warriors to the sword

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi made a try-scoring return for the Sharks in his team’s 28-24 victory over Glasgow Warriors in an exciting United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Saturday.

Kolisi crossed for the home side’s first try and there were further five-pointers from fellow Springboks Aphelele Fassi and Grant Williams while another Bok, Jordan Hendrikse succeeded with two conversions and three penalties.

Meanwhile, defending United Rugby Championship champions Glasgow Warriors received two bonus points despite their defeat as they crossed for four tries and also lost the match by less than seven points.

George Horne led the way for the visitors as he finished with a 12-point contribution courtesy of a brace of tries and a conversion while Johnny Matthews and Rory Darge also crossed the whitewash and Adam Hastings slotted a two-pointer off the kicking tee.

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The result means the champions’ three-game winning streak in the United Rugby Championship comes to an end while the star-studded Sharks return to the victory trail after losing to Benetton last week.

Boosted by the return of a number of Springboks, fly-half Hendrikse kicked an early penalty for the Sharks before Horne converted his own try to nudge the Warriors in front.

Hendrikse missed another effort from the tee but quickfire scores from Kolisi and Fassi, one converted, saw the home side move 15-7 ahead.

WATCH: Springboks captain Siya Kolisi POWERS over 27 minutes into his Sharks return

Horne added his second try prior to half-time but two Hendrikse penalties, the second after Glasgow’s Gregor Brown was sin-binned for a high tackle, extended the Sharks’ lead to 21-12.

The Sharks took further advantage when Williams was quickest to a kick over the top to go over, with Hendrikse adding the extras.

But late tries from Darge and Matthews, the latter converted by Adam Hastings, helped Glasgow claim two bonus points in suffering just a second defeat in nine URC matches.

The teams

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Nathan McBeth
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 44th league game)
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU), Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

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