Lukhanyo Am had a solid outing at centre for the Sharks. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images.
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
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).
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