In a game that had more swings than a playground, Siya Masuku emerged as the hero, booting a last-gasp penalty to gift the Sharks a heart-stopping 33-31 victory over Boland. This win at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg was a rare highlight in what's been a lukewarm Currie Cup campaign for the Sharks, while Boland, despite the loss, still clings to second place on the log.
The match kicked off with the Sharks showing a ferocity that had been missing in action for much of the season. The team thought they had an early lead through wing Phikolomzi Sobahle, but celebrations were cut short when the try was disallowed for a toe in touch. It wasn't until Sharks hooker Jacques Marais bulldozed over the line that the scoreboard got its first taste of action, putting the Sharks up 7-0.
By halftime, the Sharks had stretched the lead to 17-7, thanks to a relentless push that saw Tino Mavesere adding a try. However, Boland wasn't about to roll over. They exploited a yellow card against the Sharks' Coetzee le Roux, with Sauliegh Arendse and later Dayan van der Westhuizen adding to the try tally, turning up the heat on the hosts.
As the game barreled towards its climax, the scoreline was a nail-biting 30-28 in favor of the Sharks. But, a yellow card to Tiaan Fourie for cynical play looked to have swung the match in Boland's favor when James Tedder put them ahead with a penalty. The stage was set for a dramatic finish.
"With the game on the line, Masuku stepped up and slotted the match-winning penalty, securing a dramatic victory for the Sharks."
The last-minute heroics from Masuku not only snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but also injected some much-needed excitement into the Sharks' season. As they head into the final round of the Currie Cup league phase, the Sharks will be looking to carry this momentum against the Pumas, while Boland will face a tough challenge against Western Province in Cape Town.
SHARKS – Tries: Jacques Marais (2), Albie Bester. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (3), Siya Masuku.
BOLAND – Tries: Sauliegh Arendse, Donovan Don, Dayan van der Westhuizen, HP van Schoor. Conversions: James Tedder (4). Penalty: Tedder.
2,193 posts
In a game that had more swings than a playground, Siya Masuku emerged as the hero, booting a last-gasp penalty to gift the Sharks a heart-stopping 33-31 victory over Boland. This win at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg was a rare highlight in what's been a lukewarm Currie Cup campaign for the Sharks, while Boland, despite the loss, still clings to second place on the log.
The match kicked off with the Sharks showing a ferocity that had been missing in action for much of the season. The team thought they had an early lead through wing Phikolomzi Sobahle, but celebrations were cut short when the try was disallowed for a toe in touch. It wasn't until Sharks hooker Jacques Marais bulldozed over the line that the scoreboard got its first taste of action, putting the Sharks up 7-0.
By halftime, the Sharks had stretched the lead to 17-7, thanks to a relentless push that saw Tino Mavesere adding a try. However, Boland wasn't about to roll over. They exploited a yellow card against the Sharks' Coetzee le Roux, with Sauliegh Arendse and later Dayan van der Westhuizen adding to the try tally, turning up the heat on the hosts.
As the game barreled towards its climax, the scoreline was a nail-biting 30-28 in favor of the Sharks. But, a yellow card to Tiaan Fourie for cynical play looked to have swung the match in Boland's favor when James Tedder put them ahead with a penalty. The stage was set for a dramatic finish.
"With the game on the line, Masuku stepped up and slotted the match-winning penalty, securing a dramatic victory for the Sharks."
The last-minute heroics from Masuku not only snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but also injected some much-needed excitement into the Sharks' season. As they head into the final round of the Currie Cup league phase, the Sharks will be looking to carry this momentum against the Pumas, while Boland will face a tough challenge against Western Province in Cape Town.
SHARKS – Tries: Jacques Marais (2), Albie Bester. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (3), Siya Masuku.
BOLAND – Tries: Sauliegh Arendse, Donovan Don, Dayan van der Westhuizen, HP van Schoor. Conversions: James Tedder (4). Penalty: Tedder.