Two Boks score twice as Sharks demolish Pau

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks well and truly got back to their winning ways after demolishing Pau 45-5 in the Challenge Cup Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks were immediately on the attack after a 15 minute late start due to weather concerns, but immediately made their presence felt, attempting to cross the advantage line.

They won a penalty as Pau had hands on the ground and Curwin Bosch stepped up to gain ascendancy through a kick at touch, keeping the pressure on.

Eben Etzegeth took the line-out ball cleanly and the Sharks won another penalty for an attempted sack by Pau.

The rain was coming down making by then visibility and handling quite tough.

The Sharks started a maul from the second line-out but the ball carrier was isolated and they lost possession.

They opted for a tap and go with Ox Nche the dedicated man, the ball was sent wide quickly and captain Lukhanyo Am raced through for the first try of the match just as the rain intensified.

After ten minutes Pau won a scrum smack bang in front of the Sharks goalposts.

But Bosch received a clean ball and kicked for touch on the halfway line and from the line-out, the Sharks attempted an attack but lost the ball in contact.

Then Pau equalised through the efforts of the 19-year-old Gregoire Arfeuil who managed to pick up the ball that was kicked forward.

Thibault Daubagna could not convert and the Sharks held a slight lead by 7-5.

After continued pressure Am got over for his second try of the game. Bosch added the extras and the Sharks led 14-5 after 25 minutes.

A penalty goal by Bosch took the Sharks further into the lead heading into half-time and despite the bad weather, the homeside stretched their lead to 17-5.

They dominated territory and used their opportunities to get points on the board.

Just as the hooter went for half-time big Etzebeth was impossible to stop and he scored again - the Shark’s third try. Bosch converted and the Sharks were leading 24-5 at half-time.

Marnus Potgieter scored the bonus point try after Am offloaded to him and then Etzebeth got his second try a few minutes after the second started after a TMO decision, Bosch added the extras the home-side was well on their way to a run-away victory.

Minutes later Makazole Mapimpi scored after receiving a brilliant pass by Ox Nche following a wonderful run by the big prop.

With an hour of play done and dusted, the Sharks were well and truly in the drivers’ seat with five tries scored despite the bad weather while Pau, a very young side with five 19-year-olds on the team sheet, were struggling to find their feet.

The wet condition resulted in a scrappy affair but the Sharks, with their Springboks in tow, were most definitely the superior side on the field.

Man of the Match: Eben Etzebeth was a true warrior in the Shark’s victory scoring two tries and winning all his Line-out balls while he dominated the set-pieces.

Scorers:

For Sharks:

Tries: Am 2, Etzebeth 2, Potgieter, Mapimpi

Con: Bosch 5

Pen: Bosch

For Pau:

Try: Arfeuil

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker

Section Paloise: 15 Thomas Carol, 14 Aminiasi Tuimaba, 13 Samuel Ezeala, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Gregoire Arfeuil, 10 Axel Desperes, 9 Thibault Daubagna, 8 Thibaut Hamonou, 7 Martin Puech, 6 Mehdi Tlili, 5 Fabrice Metz, 4 Guillaume Ducat, 3 Nicolas Corato, 2 Romain Ruffenach, 1 Paul Tailhades

Replacements: 16 Youri Delhommel, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Ziggy Fisi’ihoi, 19 Brent Liufau, 20 Josselin Bouhier, 21 Thomas Souverbie, 22 Thibault Debaes, 23 Nathan Decron

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi

Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley, Simon Harding

TMO: Ian Tempest