The Hollywoodbets Sharks XV beat the Vodacom Bulls 24-18 in a wet and windy Durban in what was effectively a dress rehearsal for next week's Carling Currie Cup semifinal.
Akker van der Merwe and Embrose Papier scored the tries for the visitors, but the replies by Dylan Richardson and Jordan Hendrikse were enough for the Durbanites to seal the deal.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls play out a thriller in tricky conditions 🔥
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 8, 2024
Next week's #CarlingCurrieCup semi-final is going to be good 😏 pic.twitter.com/Z99PThoAOr
In those tricky conditions, it was the Sharks who capitalised on the scoring opportunities that came their way, and the result will give them a much-needed confidence boost before the playoffs.
The Bulls will be giving themselves a death stare in the changeroom mirror right around now.
They had the game won twice, except they couldn't finish the deal.
They were leading for most of the match, but it did them no favours that they played almost a full ten minutes with only 13 men.
The game will be remembered mostly for the comebacks of Trevor Nyakane for the Sharks and Cameron Hanekom for the Bulls.
Both of them walked off the field with their heads held high. Both of them will feature heavily next weekend.
SCORERS:
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV - Tries: Dylan Richardson, Jordan Hendrikse. Conversion: Siya Masuku. Penalties: Masuku (4).
Vodacom Bulls - Tries: Akker van der Merwe, Embrose Papier. Conversion: Jaco van der Walt. Penalties: Van der Walt (2).