Sharks beat Griquas in entertaining Currie Cup clash

The Hollywood Bets Sharks produced a top first half effort to power their way to an entertaining 40-21 win over the Suzuki Griquas in their Carling Currie Cup clash at Kings Park in Durban on Sunday afternoon.

It was a game between two sides languishing near the foot of the table, with the Sharks third from bottom (now fifth) and Griquas second from bottom, so both were desperate to pick up just their second win of the competition so far.

In the end it was a strong first-half performance from the hosts that saw them leading 35-7 at the break, that was enough to earn them the win, despite a good fightback from the visitors at the start of the second half.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks score six tries to secure victory over the Suzuki Griquas in Durban 🦈🏉 #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/FHUj3G44YK
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 11, 2024

The Sharks got off to a strong start, as they attacked into the Griquas 22m, and went through a few phases before Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, making his return from a four-month injury, threw a massive dummy and dived over for the converted score in the sixth minute.

In the 19th minute the hosts were in for their second as they sparked an attack in the Griquas half, getting into the 22m where the ball went through the hands, with fullback Hakeem Kunene receiving a short past and bursting over to score, while flyhalf Lionel Cronje added the extras.

Five minutes later the Sharks attacked from a lineout on the halfway, with the ball spreading wide quickly, as Kunene passed to wing Eduan Keyter in space to sprint away, step inside and go over to score, as Cronje’s conversion made it 21-0.

BIG-HALFTIME LEAD

The Griquas finally responded in the 28th minute. On attack in the Sharks' half a long pass followed by a short pass saw flank Marco Dewitt hit a gap and show good strength to power over, converted by flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela.

The Sharks, however, hit back straight away as a good chase and tackle from the kick-off saw them turn over the ball in the Griquas 22m and attack, with flank Jannes Potgieter bursting through to score their fourth converted try to lead 28-7.

On the stroke of halftime the hosts finished with a flourish as the Griquas on attack near halfway lost the ball, allowing inside centre Jurenzo Julius to pick up and sprint away to score for a big halftime lead.

The visitors got off to a good start in the second half as in the 46th minute they attacked from in the Sharks half, with wing Dylan Maart making the break and offloading to outside centre Sango Xamlashe to run over for the converted score.

Ten minutes later the Griquas scored another, with a good move seeing the ball spread to Maart on the wing, allowing him to sprint down the line before stepping inside the final defender and over, with replacement back Zinedine Robertson adding the extras to make it 35-21.

In the 61st minute the Sharks effectively sealed the win as they set up a lineout in the Griquas 22m, secured it and set the maul, with hooker Ethan Bester breaking off and powering over for an unconverted try to make it 40-21.

Ethan Bester burts through the Suzuaki Griquas defence to score his first #CarlingCurrieCup try 🏉🌟

📺 Stream live: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/A4CvLn8eIZ
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 11, 2024

Both teams had chances in the closing moments, but neither managed to score, and the match ended on an unfortunate note as Griquas replacement loose forward Hanru Sirgel received a deserved red card for a very poor cleanout at a ruck to end proceedings.