Sharks deal Province first loss of Currie Cup season

The Sharks put in a clinical performance to hand Western Province their first loss of the Currie Cup season, with the hosts picking up a solid 20-7 win at Kings Park in Durban on Sunday afternoon.

It was a scrappy match of few chances, but the Sharks made the most of theirs to pick up their second win in three games, while Province fell to a first defeat after winning their opening two matches comfortably.

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The Sharks enjoyed a strong start as some good handling earned them space to put fullback Yaw Penxe away for the opening score in the ninth minute.

A 19^th minute penalty from the boot of flyhalf Fred Zeilinga was followed three minutes later by some more good interplay from the backs ending with wing Phokolomzi Sobahle bumping off a defender and going over to score their second unconverted try for a 13-0 lead.

Province finally managed to respond in the 26^th minute as scrumhalf Godlen Masimla hoisted a ball into the home side’s 22m, with the wind flummoxing the defenders allowing it to bounce into the hands of wing Fazeel Robertson to go over to score.

The conversion from the boot of flyhalf Kade Wolhuter was the final points of the half as the Sharks took a six point lead into the break.

The second half was a rather messy affair and only saw one converted try from the Sharks in the 66^th minute which effectively sealed the game.

It was a kick ahead from Penxe that looked like it was going to be safely gathered by the Province players, only for Masimla and fullback Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to clatter into each other, allowing Penxe to pick the ball up and dot down for the easiest of scores, converted by Zeilinga.

Province had a final chance to get back into the game in the 72^nd minute, but inside centre Bruce Sherwood lost the ball forward trying to slide over the whitewash for a try.

Other results earlier in the weekend saw the Cheetahs beat the Bulls 32-7, Pumas beat the Griquas 28-13 and Lions beat the Griffons 41-26.

After three rounds of the 2023 Currie Cup the Cheetahs lead the log with a perfect haul of 15 points, while the defending champion Pumas sit second on 14, with them the only two unbeaten sides.