Sharks off to a flyer
CURRIE CUP MATCH REPORT: The Sharks moved to the top of the standings, for at least 24 hours, after a bonus-point demolition of a hapless Pumas team in Durban on Friday.
The Sharks outscored the Pumas by seven tries to one - five of the hosts' tries came in the first half - in a 45-10 demolition.
Despite putting up better resistance after the break - they trailed 3-31 at half-time - the Pumas simply were no match for the Durban outfit.
* As it happened. To recap the drama, CLICK HERE!
Springbok wing Sibusiso Nkosi came off the bench to score two tries and captain Jeremy Ward also crossed the tryline twice.
Scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, hooker Kerron van Vuuren and flank Dylan Richardson scored the other three tries.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch succeeded with five of his seven conversion attempts, for a 10-point total.
Scrumhalf Ginter Smuts slotted a first-half penalty for the Pumas and converted a try from loose forward Phumzile Maqondwana.
Nkosi's first try came when he caught the ball from a kick-off and outpaced the defence to score.
Nkosi struck for the second time in the second half when he intercepted a Pumas pass and darted forward to touch down.
"Scoring my first try was great because we were under the pump at the time having conceded a try to the Pumas," said Nkosi.
"We have failed in the past to close games off and this time we did so which was very pleasing. While I appreciate the award, all the credit must go to my teammates."
On Saturday, the Griquas host the Lions in Kimberley and Western Province have home advantage in Cape Town over the Blue Bulls in what should prove the stand-out match of the round.
Man of the match: Hard-working loose forward Thembelani Bholi spoiled an otherwise impressive game with a yellow card. Kerron van Vuuren also impressed with his workrate. Behind a dominant pack the backs had a feast - Yaw Penxe making plenty of metres and Sibusiso Nkosi getting a double. Our award goes to Sharks captain Jeremy Ward, for his impressive distributions skills, pressure game and great finishing ability - also ending with two tries.
The scorers
For the Sharks
Tries: Ward 2, Nohamba, Van Vuuren, Richardson, Nkosi 2
Cons: Bosch 5
For the Pumas
Try: Maqondwana
Con: Smuts
Pen: Smuts
Yellow card: Thembelani Bholi (Sharks, 64 - repeated infringements, killing the ball at the breakdown)
Teams
Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Thembelani Bholi, 7 Juan van der Mescht, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Zain Davids, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Sibusiso Nkosi.
Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Morné Joubert, 13 Erich Cronjé, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willem Engelbrecht, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Brendon Snyman, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Liam Hendriks.
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Wikus Groenewald, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Heath Backhouse, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Wayne van der Bank, 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Dewald Maritz.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Paul Mente
TMO: Marius Jonker