Sharks beat wounded Sunwolves
The win sees the Sharks record their first Super Rugby match after their frustrated 24-all draw to the Waratahs last weekend.
The Sharks were in control of the match from the start and outscored the visitors sevens tries to three.
Within just under two minutes of play, flyhalf Robert du Preez stuck over a simple penalty following a good attacking build-up from the Sharks.
Soon 3-0 became 10-0 as great interplay by Sharks trio – Beast Mtawarira, Andre Esterhuizen and Akker van der Merwe – handed Makazole Mapimpi a perfect platform for his first try of the match.
Du Preez added the extras for the lead.
The Sunwolves, to their credit, produced a gutsy performance and had numerous opportunities accumulate points, however handling errors just took centre stage when it came to the Japanese side's attack.
The visitors enjoyed 10 minutes of dominance, which almost handed William Tupou a try, however great cover defence by Curwin Bosch made sure the Sunwoulve stay scorless
The visitors eventually got on the board through a successful penalty from Harumichi Tatekawa, 3-10.
The hosts who had the last say before the break as they added two additional tries – thanks to hooker Van der Merwe and No.8 Lubabalo Mtembu – just before the break. Du Preez added the extras, respectively for the 24-3 lead.
As the second half commenced the Sunwolves came out with full intent. The visitors capitalised on turnover ball and went over the tryline. However, the TMO ruled there was an obstruction in the build-up and the score remained 24-3 in favour of the Sharks after 42 minutes.
Minutes later, the Sunwolves were finally rewarded for their efforts as wing Lomano Lemeki scored the five-pointer. Fullback Kotaro Matsushima added the extras.
Unfortunately for Sunwolves, they conceded a scrum from the restart which served as a perfect opportunity for Sharks to continue their onslaught. From the scrum Sharks collected the ball and sent it wide to Mapimpi, whose quick feet made sure he sealed his brace of tries and stretched the lead to 29-8.
The Sharks added three more tries via Jacques Vermeulen, Sibusiso Nkosi and Cameron Wright.
While Wimpie van der Walt made sure the Sunwolves’ supporters have something to cheer about with a consolation try before the referee signalled full time.
Man of the match: The forwards did amazing work especially Tendai Mtawarira and hooker Armand van der Merwe – who also got his name on the scoresheet. Curwin Bosch also deserves a mention, but our nod goes to Makazole Mapimpi.
The scorers:
For Sharks:
Tries: Mapimpi 2, Van der Merwe, Mtembu, Vermeulen, Nkosi, Wright
Cons: R du Preez 5, Bosch
Pen: R du Preez
For Sunwolves:
Tries: Lemeki, Van der Walt, Tupou
Cons: Matsushima, Nakamura
Pen: Tatekawa
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Sunwolves: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Lomano Lemeki, 13 Sione Teaupa, 12 Michael Little, 11 William Tupou, 10 Harumichi Tatekawa, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Willem Britz (captain), 7 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Kazuki Himeno, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Yusuke Niwai, 1 Craig Millar.
Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Shintaro Ishihara, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Wimpie van der Walt, 20 Pieter Labuschagne, 21 Yutaka Nagare, 22 Ryoto Nakamura, 23 Robbie Robinson.
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Archie Sehlako (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
