Sharks end 12-year drought in style
Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:49
Celebration time in Durban - Picture: Michael Marnewick/Sharksrugby
The Sharks ended a 12-year wait for a trophy by winning the Currie Cup Final, against the Bulls in Durban on Saturday, by 14-9. And they did it in style by outscoring the Bulls by two tries to nil.
It may have been a long wait for the Sharks faithful, but as veteran fullback Stefan Terblanche said: "It was worth the wait."
And it was a deserved win by a very efficient Sharks team, who always seemed to have that extra few metres on the Bulls. And while it ended a long drought, it was the Sharks' fifth win of South Africa's most prized domestic competition.
It was Very tense game throughput, a true final indeed.
There was nothing too flash from either side, although the Sharks had their moments. The Bulls were 'steady as you go' throughout the 80 minutes.
While the early stages produced a tactical kicking contest, the Sharks started playing with a bit more poise in the latter stages and that was the difference in the end.
Even though the Sharks' discipline early in second half let them down on occasion, but they regrouped quickly and managed to hold on despite a late surge form the visitors.
The Blue Bulls had the first scoring opportunity, with Morné Steyn having lined up a shot at goal in the third minute after the Sharks failed to roll away at the tackle. However, his attempt drifted to the right of the uprights.
Next opportunity came in the eighth minute, when Bryan Habana went offside - giving Ruan Pienaar a shot at goal. He too pushed it wide.
The first score came only in the 23rd minute and not surprising it went to Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar. came from a ruck, when the Bulls stopped JP Pietersen, and from the ensuing ruck Pienaar picked up, stepped past flank Deon Stegmann and sprinted 15 metres before being tackled. But Pienaar was close enough and stretched to dot down.
He added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The Bulls hit straight back when Steyn landed his first penalty of the day almost from the restart.
Within minutes Pienaar had another shot at goal, a penalty for an incorrect entry at a ruck, but for the second time in the match Pienaar's kick drifted wide.
The next scoring chance came only in the 34th minute, with a Francois Steyn drop-goal attempt drifting wide.
With time running out in the first half the Sharks scrumhalf, Pienaar, had another shot at goal - a penalty for Wikus van Heerden being off his feet at a ruck - but again the kick drifted wide.
That meant the Sharks took a four-point lead (7-3) into the half-time break.
The Bulls opened the second half strongly, as they took the ball through several phases before Morné Steyn slotted a perfect drop-goal to make it a one-point game - 7-6.
The Sharks' discipline let them down badly in the early stages of the second half, as foul play and hands in the ruck in quick succession set Steyn up for another shot at goal.
His attempt hit the crossbar and bounced back infield, allowing the Sharks to launch a raid upfield.
The tempo of the game now picked up and another strong run by Bismarck du Plessis had the Sharks just metres from the Bulls' line - where he was marshalled into touch.
As the game approached the final quarter Francois Steyn had a long-range shot at goal, but it was short.
However, the Bulls failed to find touch and the Sharks launched another raid from deep. It ended up with Steyn scoring his team's second try - a crucial score at that. The creator, apart from some great interplay, was flyhalf Freddie Michalak - who created the overlap with a show and step. From then it was quick hands. Michalak added the conversion for a 14-6 lead.
But the Bulls soon made it a five-point game again when Steyn landed second penalty in the 63rd minute to make it 14-9 - leaving the game poised on a knife's edge.
With two minutes to go Steyn, the Sharks' version, had a chance to seal the win with a penalty. However, he hooked it badly and the Bulls were still in with a shout.
However, the Sharks managed to play out the clock in the final two minutes and were able to celebrate their first trophy in 12 years - but deserved celebrations.
Man of the match: Wikus van Heerden was a star performer for the Blue Bulls - securing crucial turnovers and strong on defence. There was one crucial tackle on Ryan Kankowski, where he carried him back from the tryline and won a scrum turnover. John Mametsa was busy and impressive all afternoon, both on attack and defence. For the Sharks Ruan Pienaar made some good scrambling tackled, backed up with fine tactical kicking. Bismarck du Plessis had a strong game and Frederick Michalak was as impressive as expected. However, our vote for Man of the Match goes to veteran fullback Stefan Terblanche. Not only was he safe under the high ball, rock solid, but he returned those kicks with interest. Yes, there was the one occasion when he kicked it directly into touch, but overall he was the star performer.
Moment of the match: There was Wikus van Heerden's tackle on Ryan Kankowski early in the second half - two quick turnovers, including winning a scrum turnover with that tackle. It was crucial. Francois SDteyn's missed penalty in the 78th minute could have been crucial, as he left the Bulls in the game - within one score. But our award goes to Francois Steyn's try in the 60th minute. It was, ultimately the score that won the game.
Villain of the match: Simply no villains, just heroes and a losing team that also contributed to a spectacle.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Pienaar, Steyn
Cons: Pienaar, Michalak
For the Blue Bulls:
Pens:
Steyn 2
DG: Steyn
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Bradley Barritt, 22 Waylon Murray.
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 John Mametsa, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Juandré
Kruger, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Tiger Mangweni.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Joey Salmans, JC Fortuin
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
* Discuss the Final here.
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