A Springboks-laden Sharks team battled their way to a 28-24 win over Glasgow Warriors at Kings Park to get their United Rugby Championship campaign back on track.
After a few weeks off following their triumphant Rugby Championship campaign, coach John Plumtree threw his Boks straight into action against the defending champions.
The cohesion was lacking at times, but the Sharks big players stood up at the right time before holding on for the win after last week’s massive defeat at the hands of Benetton in Italy.
After trailing 3-7, when Glasgow’s George Horne scored the first try of the match, the Sharks hit back with Springboks Siya Kolisi and Aphelele Fassi crossing the line.
When you Siya a gap, you go through it 💥
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 19, 2024
Siya Kolisi's come back try is a beaut ❤️@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvGLA pic.twitter.com/oLQoXjdAJk
However, Horne had the last say of the half when he went over for his second try of the match, the Sharks taking a narrow 15-12 lead into the break.
Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse slotted his second penalty of the match six minutes after the break to push their lead out to 18-12.
After a stop-start period of play, the Warriors’ Gregor Brown was sent to the sin bin after he made head contact with the Sharks No 8 Pepsi Buthelezi in the 66th minute.
Hendrikse kicked the resulting penalty, before quicksilver scrumhalf Grant Williams went over to score in the 71st minute to give the Sharks a 28-12 lead.
However, the Warriors fought back and had the Sharks on the ropes in the final five minutes of the match. They were rewarded for their efforts when Rory Darge and Johnny Matthews went over to score.
But that was too little too late, as the Sharks held on for the win.
Point-scorers:
Sharks - Tries: Siya Kolisi, Aphelele Fassi, Grant Williams. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2). Penalties: Hendrikse (3)
Glasgow Warriors - Tries: George Horne (2), Rory Darge, Johnny Matthews. Conversions: Horne, Adam Hastings.
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