WP surprise, Sharks win in a thrilling Currie Cup encounter
When the Sharks started today's match, it looked as though predictions might come true. They played at pace, put huge pressure on the WP scrum and played an aggressive rush defence.
Dusty Noble had looked very good and constantly looked for work and was rewarded with a try to follow a Butch James penalty.
The Sharks were always going to be in trouble if the WP line got ball. That potential was increased when Egon Seconds was added to the line in place of Joe Pietersen. With Zahier Ryland not even making the bench, the observation that Province had pace to burn would be quite apt.
For the Province backs to get ball, the forwards were going to have to exceed expectations. And so they did. With Luke Watson and Schalk Brits leading the charge, the Province forwards responded to the Sharks try by increasing the pace and quality of ball to the WP backs. The backs did not disappoint, and bewildered the Sharks by mixing things up on attack. Grant often took the ball at flyhalf with Aplon joining the line. Add to this that Chumani Booi looked everywhere for work and the Sharks were often left clutching at shadows.
After an exciting period of attack, Corne Uys chipped over the rushing Sharks defence to score for Province.
The game continued to surprise with the Province forwards giving as good as they got. Robbie Diack was impressive and played an important part in the home side's supply of turnovers. The Sharks forwards began to get frustrated and Johan Muller was lucky not to get sent off for rucking all over Attie Winter far from the ball.
Aplon was rewarded for his constant efforts in joining the line by running in for a great try. It same from turnover ball spun wide by Watson through great hands from Booi to feed Aplon on the run.
It was a game of surprises and Bolla's return to form was as pleasing as it was surprising. He enjoyed good supply of possession and was also everywhere on defence.
After half time replacements began to come on and Brock Harris joined the WP effort to replace Attie Winter. He increased the strength of the home side at scrum time and in the loose and looks a good prospect.
Watson made another great steal and Olivier made a great tap on pass to put Aplon away for his second. At this stage the home side looked to have really spooked the visitors and were enjoying quick turnover ball.
Dusty Noble's work-rate was crucial in respect of gettiing the Sharks back into the game. It resulted in him coming off his wing to add the extra man in the Sharks line and Brett Hennesy going over for an important Sharks try. The score stood at 18-15 to the home side and the match was set up for an exciting finish. Butch added a penalty and it was set up for a thriller.
WP immediately struck back and scored from a maul that one would have expected from the Sharks. It was a great reward for the surprising WP pack. It was converted and Wp were full value for their 25-18 lead.
Then followed some replacements for the Sharks and an altogether more defensive effort from the home team. Mxoli, Bobo and Pienaar made a huge difference for the visitors. It was great for SA rugby to see two of our young prospects in Mxoli and Pienaar perform so well. Bobo showed good touches and made the Sharks look much more threatening on attack.
The home side seemed to begin to ride their lead and perhaps this feeling of comfort when Butch James was dispatched from the field for a punch. The setback seemed to fire up the Sharks even more and they begun to dominate. After a penalty putting the Sharks at 21-25, the WP defence began to look desperate. The home fans must have thought their team had done enough after repelling waves of attack on the Western Province line. The hooter sounded with the WP team defending fiercely only to concede a penalty. The sharks charged up and Danie Saayman broke off the side to give the Sharks the win before the conversion sealed the matter.
What a game! Supporters from either side would not be able to complain. It was an advert for Currie Cup rugby and it was a shame that so few supporters turned up at Newlands to watch. Ticket prices cannot be blamed and hopefully the brand of rugby played will attract more of the Newlands faithful back in future.
The match also asked questions of the size debate with Aplon looking good on attack and defence. For WP, the new backline combination looks promising with Olivier at flyhalf and Grant at inside centre. But they will doubtlessly be even more happy with the performance of Robbie Diack and Brock Harris as additions to their pack in absence of their Springboks.
The Sharks will be concerened with the number of turnovers they conceded but exceptionally pleased with the way they stayed in the game and came back to win. They will be pleased with the addition of Dusty Noble to back up Odwa Ndugane and his exceptional work-rate. With Bobo looking good again, they are building impressive depth. They might start with Ruan Pienaar in the future. Starting with him on the bench seemed to rob the Sharks of much needed sharpness.
Great match, a fantastic advert for strength-versus-strength, and a real start to the Currie Cup.
Dusty Noble had looked very good and constantly looked for work and was rewarded with a try to follow a Butch James penalty.
The Sharks were always going to be in trouble if the WP line got ball. That potential was increased when Egon Seconds was added to the line in place of Joe Pietersen. With Zahier Ryland not even making the bench, the observation that Province had pace to burn would be quite apt.
For the Province backs to get ball, the forwards were going to have to exceed expectations. And so they did. With Luke Watson and Schalk Brits leading the charge, the Province forwards responded to the Sharks try by increasing the pace and quality of ball to the WP backs. The backs did not disappoint, and bewildered the Sharks by mixing things up on attack. Grant often took the ball at flyhalf with Aplon joining the line. Add to this that Chumani Booi looked everywhere for work and the Sharks were often left clutching at shadows.
After an exciting period of attack, Corne Uys chipped over the rushing Sharks defence to score for Province.
The game continued to surprise with the Province forwards giving as good as they got. Robbie Diack was impressive and played an important part in the home side's supply of turnovers. The Sharks forwards began to get frustrated and Johan Muller was lucky not to get sent off for rucking all over Attie Winter far from the ball.
Aplon was rewarded for his constant efforts in joining the line by running in for a great try. It same from turnover ball spun wide by Watson through great hands from Booi to feed Aplon on the run.
It was a game of surprises and Bolla's return to form was as pleasing as it was surprising. He enjoyed good supply of possession and was also everywhere on defence.
After half time replacements began to come on and Brock Harris joined the WP effort to replace Attie Winter. He increased the strength of the home side at scrum time and in the loose and looks a good prospect.
Watson made another great steal and Olivier made a great tap on pass to put Aplon away for his second. At this stage the home side looked to have really spooked the visitors and were enjoying quick turnover ball.
Dusty Noble's work-rate was crucial in respect of gettiing the Sharks back into the game. It resulted in him coming off his wing to add the extra man in the Sharks line and Brett Hennesy going over for an important Sharks try. The score stood at 18-15 to the home side and the match was set up for an exciting finish. Butch added a penalty and it was set up for a thriller.
WP immediately struck back and scored from a maul that one would have expected from the Sharks. It was a great reward for the surprising WP pack. It was converted and Wp were full value for their 25-18 lead.
Then followed some replacements for the Sharks and an altogether more defensive effort from the home team. Mxoli, Bobo and Pienaar made a huge difference for the visitors. It was great for SA rugby to see two of our young prospects in Mxoli and Pienaar perform so well. Bobo showed good touches and made the Sharks look much more threatening on attack.
The home side seemed to begin to ride their lead and perhaps this feeling of comfort when Butch James was dispatched from the field for a punch. The setback seemed to fire up the Sharks even more and they begun to dominate. After a penalty putting the Sharks at 21-25, the WP defence began to look desperate. The home fans must have thought their team had done enough after repelling waves of attack on the Western Province line. The hooter sounded with the WP team defending fiercely only to concede a penalty. The sharks charged up and Danie Saayman broke off the side to give the Sharks the win before the conversion sealed the matter.
What a game! Supporters from either side would not be able to complain. It was an advert for Currie Cup rugby and it was a shame that so few supporters turned up at Newlands to watch. Ticket prices cannot be blamed and hopefully the brand of rugby played will attract more of the Newlands faithful back in future.
The match also asked questions of the size debate with Aplon looking good on attack and defence. For WP, the new backline combination looks promising with Olivier at flyhalf and Grant at inside centre. But they will doubtlessly be even more happy with the performance of Robbie Diack and Brock Harris as additions to their pack in absence of their Springboks.
The Sharks will be concerened with the number of turnovers they conceded but exceptionally pleased with the way they stayed in the game and came back to win. They will be pleased with the addition of Dusty Noble to back up Odwa Ndugane and his exceptional work-rate. With Bobo looking good again, they are building impressive depth. They might start with Ruan Pienaar in the future. Starting with him on the bench seemed to rob the Sharks of much needed sharpness.
Great match, a fantastic advert for strength-versus-strength, and a real start to the Currie Cup.
posted at 5:21 PM
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