Currie Cup: Sharks play big moments better to secure home final

The Blue Bulls started as shrinking Barberton Daisies before coming back snorting with a powerful display in the third quarter but it was not enough as the Sharks beat them 37-27 in their Currie Cup semi-final at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

The victory confirmed that the Sharks will host the final next Saturday, against the winners of the other semi-final between Western Province and the Golden Lions in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

The Sharks scored four tries in the first half for a commanding 28-13 lead, but three of those were soft as the Bulls folded under the considerable pressure put on them up front by the brilliant Sharks pack.

The forward dominance enjoyed by the Sharks also meant the Bulls struggled to bring their dangerous backs into commission, until the game became loose in the third quarter.

Who was the star in this match?

Captain Ruan Botha was immense for the Sharks and a well-deserved recipient of the award. The lock was not only at the forefront of the set-pieces working seamlessly, but he was also always in the frontline of a tremendous defensive effort on the gainline by the Sharks. He charged down scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl’s badly-telegraphed box-kick for a crucial try just before halftime that gave the home side control.

Key moments and themes

• While scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and flyhalf Curwin Bosch enjoyed sheltered employment behind the tremendous Sharks pack, the Bulls’ forward woes caused the jitters for their halfbacks, Van Zyl and Marnitz Boshoff. Boshoff made a horror start as his ill-judged up-and-under from his own 22 was well-taken by Lukhanyo Am, putting the Sharks on early attack. He then threw a terrible pass to fullback Warrick Gelant, leading to a knock-on and five-metre scrum. The Blue Bulls fought back to within a point (13-14) but Van Zyl was then involved in two tries being gifted to the Sharks just before halftime.
• Bulls loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman was one visiting forward who could be proud of his game. He is a heck of ball-carrier and he went over for the Bulls’ opening try in the 11^th minute, as well as being strongly involved in centre Burger Odendaal’s try on the hour mark. His scrumming is also decent.
• Given how strongly the Sharks had finished the first half, it was a surprise when the Blue Bulls scored straight after the restart. Daniel du Preez is renowned as a strong ball-carrier, but flank Marco van Staden ripped the ball off him and Van Zyl grabbed the loose ball and flatfooted the defence as he dashed away for a fine try. When captain Odendaal then scored, the Bulls had hauled themselves back into the game with an amazing comeback, setting up the final quarter for a thrilling conclusion.
• The Sharks responded to the Bulls’ comeback in the most obvious way, tightening up and slowing down the game to take advantage of the dominance of their forwards. They won a crucial scrum penalty, stole a lineout, and the on-song boot of Bosch did the rest with two penalties and a drop goal.

Scorers

Sharks – Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Kobus van Wyk, Louis Schreuder, Ruan Botha. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (4). Penalties: Bosch (2). Drop Goal: Bosch.

Blue Bulls – Tries: Pierre Schoeman, Ivan van Zyl, Burger Odendaal. Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3). Penalties: Boshoff (2).