In a rollercoaster match in Kimberley, the Griquas staged a dramatic comeback to topple the discipline-troubled Sharks 26-17. Cameron Hufke's late try capped off a spirited fightback, exploiting the Sharks' vulnerability while they were repeatedly a man down due to yellow cards.
The game kicked off with Sharks' Junior Boks flyhalf Vusi Moyo putting the first points on the board with a penalty. However, the Griquas quickly responded, turning the tide after Sharks captain Nick Hatton was sent off with a yellow card. Griquas' scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams found the gap, and flyhalf George Whitehead's boot gave them a 7-3 lead. The Sharks weren't down for long, as Ceano Everson darted through to snatch back the lead, making it 10-7 at the break.
The real drama unfolded in the second half. Griquas' Lourens Oosthuizen bulldozed over the line, pushing the hosts ahead as the Sharks suffered with Matt Romao in the sin bin. The Sharks managed a brief comeback with Diego Appolis narrowing the score to 19-17, but their lack of discipline bit them yet again as replacement flyhalf Jean Smith received their third yellow card of the match.
As the Sharks scrambled to regroup, Griquas' winger Dylan Maart found space to extend their lead. The final nail in the coffin was delivered by Hufke, who capitalized on a superb aerial grab to dash over the line, sealing a 26-17 victory for the Griquas.
"We capitalized on our chances and kept our composure under pressure. It's a huge win for us,"
said an elated Cameron Hufke after the match.Looking ahead, the Sharks hope to redeem themselves against Western Province, while the Griquas face a tough challenge against the Bulls at Loftus. With the Currie Cup heating up, both teams have a lot to prove in the upcoming rounds.