VIDEO: Sharks sneak into the play-offs
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks managed to sneak into the play-offs and will head to Christchurch next week, where they will play the table-topping Crusaders in Christchurch in the quarterfinals.
The Durban-based franchise edged past the Rebels, after beating the Jaguares 20-10 in a very wet Durban on Saturday.
The Sharks and Rebels are both on 36 points and have both won seven games.
However, the Sharks’ better points difference – minus five against minus 21 – sees them advance.
The Jaguares, who have lost the momentum and quality that saw them go on an seven-match winning streak before the June break, will face the Lions in Johannesburg next week.
Given the wet and testing conditions in Durban, the match was never going to be an entertaining try-feast.
The Sharks went 3-0, after a scrum penalty allowed flyhalf Robert du Preez to open the scoring.
A second Du Preez gave the Sharks a 6-0 lead after a tense opening 15 minutes.
The Sharks were down a man at the end of the opening quarter, when No.8 Dan du Preez was yellow-carded for no-arms tackle.
Diaz Bonilla slotted the penalty, but Sharks hooker Armand van der Merwe gave his team the breathing space they required when – with a 40-metre dash – he raced over for the opening try of the match.
The flyhalf, Du Preez, added the extras to make it 13-3 at the break.
The Sharks dominated the opening exchanges of the second half and – from a lovely set-piece move – Andre Esterhuizen put Jacobus van Wyk through and he raced over on the right wing for a superb finish.
Du Preez made no mistake from the kicking tee, as the Sharks took a 20-lead.
The Jaguares made valiant effort to force their way back into the game and while Sebastian Cancelliere managed to pounce on a ball that was kicked through with just on 15 minutes remaining, the Sharks were resilient enough on defence to hold on for a 20-10 win.
Man of the match: In a game where most of the action consisted of scrumhalves and flyhalves kicking the ball, the crucial efforts came from forwards. Sharks hooker Armand van der Merwe was as energetic as ever, while teammate and flank, Philip van der Walt, was the most productive of all the forwards – winning our award.
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Van Wyk
Cons: R du Preez 2
Pens: R du Preez 2
For the Jaguares:
Try: Cancelliere
Con: Sanchez
Pen: Sanchez
Yellow card: Dan du Preez (Sharks, 19 – foul play, no arms in tackle)
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Teams:
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Jacobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
Jaguares: 15 Ramiro Moyano, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Sebastian Cancelliere, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Javier Diaz.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Emiliano Boffelli.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Archie Sehlako (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
