Sharks compound WP's woes in Cape Town

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks continued their upward curve in the Currie Cup with a 31-23 win over Western Province in their Round Eight fixture in Cape Town on Saturday.

JP Pietersen's side outscored the Capetonians by four tries to two on their way to the bonus-point victory.

The Sharks raced to a 21-3 lead before the hosts fought back to ensure a tight finish.

Late changes also disrupted WP before kick-off. Angelo Davids and JC Mars failed late fitness tests and Joshua Boulle was ruled out with illness.

The win strengthened the Durban side's position in the top four, while the hosts are out of the play-off race.

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Province opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Jurie Matthee converted a scrum penalty into three points.

However, after sustained pressure with ball in hand, the Sharks scored the first try of the game after Tino Mavesere found his way over the whitewash via a quick-tap penalty from scrumhalf Bradley Davids.

Both teams had their fair share of opportunities before Sharks centre Jurenzo Julius found acres of space in Province's defence in the 33rd minute to score his team's second try of the game.

With momentum on their side, the Sharks were in again in the 38th minute with captain Nick Hatton powering over the tryline.

That score came after WP's Paul de Villiers was sent to the sinbin for cynical play on the ground.

There was something cheer about for the home fans before half-time after Kyle Smith pounced on a wayward pass from the Sharks before weaving his way through the visitors' defence to score a try.

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The hosts carried that momentum into the second half and they reduced the Sharks' lead to just eight points in the 46th minute with another Matthee penalty.

The Sharks thought they scored their bonus-point try in the 60th minute via Dan Jooste, but there was some offside play involved.

With 16 minutes left on the clock, Province reduced the Sharks lead to just five points with another three-pointer from Matthee.

However, the Sharks eventually got that fourth try in the 66th minute when space opened up out wide allowing Keyter to run in for five points.

The Capetonians kept in touch with Vernon Matongo's try in the 70th minute before Lionel Cronje sealed the win for the Sharks with a drop-goal late in the game.

The scorers:

For Western Province:

Tries: Smith, Matongo

Cons: Matthee 2

Pens: Matthee 3

For Sharks:

Tries: Mavesere, Julius, Hatton, Keyter

Cons: Cronje 4

DG: Cronje

Yellow card: Paul de Villiers (WP, 37' - cynical play, slowing the ball down.)

Teams:

Western Province: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Kyle Smith, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Andre Goedhals, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Hendre Stassen, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Divan Fuller, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Wahl Ulrich.

Sharks: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Dian Bleuler.

Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Coetzee le Roux, 20 Hennie Sieberhagen, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Christie Grobbelaar, 23 Anthony Volmink.

Referee: Dylen November

TMO: Egon Seconds

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