Griquas shock Sharks with second-half comeback

Suzuki Griquas shocked the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 34-31 after trailing by 17 points at half time to notch their first Carling Currie Cup win in Kimberley on Friday.

There was little indication of what was to come at half time after the Sharks – showing good skills on attack – had already grabbed a bonus point for scoring four tries.

But Griquas, showing renewed energy and intensity, completely dominated the second half, scoring a further four tries to their solo first-half score by Hanru Sirgel.

The Sharks responded late on with their only points in the second half with Eduan Keyter sprinting down the left-wing to cross over by the posts.

Lionel Cronje’s conversion evened the match up at 31-all with four minutes to play. 

Then the Sharks were penalised near the halfway line, and with virtually the last kick of the match flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela kicked the winning three points with the first and only penalty attempt by either team.

The scenes in Kimberley 😲😲

Suzuki Griquas win to upset a star-studded Hollywoodbets Sharks XV 💪 pic.twitter.com/qEDsxO7WVm

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 12, 2024

It was the Sharks’ second narrow defeat of the campaign after they were beaten by one point by the Lions at Kings Park last week.

Griquas richly deserved their win, however, despite an error-riddled first half when the Sharks were able to exploit holes in their defence despite having less possession, and territory, than the home team. The visitors looked clinical on attack early on with hooker Daniel Jooste cruising over the line in just the third minute following a ruck.

Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen found the right pass to release fellow centre Muller du Plessis to increase their lead with a second try in the 16th minute. 

MAKATA CAUSING MAYHEM

Cronje failed with both conversions, however. Then brilliant interpassing and off-loading led to the Sharks’ best try with skipper Nick Hatton storming over.

The Sharks now led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter and although Sirgel crashed over after Hatton had been shown a yellow card, Aphelele Fassi was able to cruise over for the bonus-point score after being set free by Esterhuizen.

 If the Sharks expected an easy ride in the second half they were mistaken with Griquas dominating play from the off with their bullet wing Sako Makata causing mayhem whenever he got the ball.

It was Makata who enabled fullback Cameron Hufke to race over after seven minutes with Dobela adding the extras to reduce the score to 14-21.

The Sharks missed a couple of golden opportunities to respond with knock-ons and misplaced passes, but it was the ever-pressing Griquas who scored next with substitute Cobo Dlamini plunging over from a maul.

Minutes later the recovery was complete as Griquas scored their best try with Sango Xamlashe completing a 70-metre movement down the right virtually from their tryline.

Dobela’s third conversion gave Griquas a two-point lead.

The Sharks looked a beaten team at this point as Griquas stretched play, creating huge holes in the visitors’ defence.

Substitute Gustav du Rand stretched their lead with another fine try although Dobela’s conversion was invalidated after he took too long over the kick.

It seemed that the Sharks would make him pay for his error with Keyter’s late try but Dobela ensured justice was done with his last-gasp penalty.

SCORES

Suzuki Griquas (7) 34 Hollywoodbets Sharks XV (24) 31

Griquas – Tries: Hanru Sirgel, Cameron Hufke, Cobo Dlamini, Sango Xamlashe, Gustav du Rand. Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela (3). Penalty: Dobela.