Sharks save their best for last in Currie Cup to thwart Boland in Pietermartizburg cliffhanger

The Currie Cup has its critics, but nobody who was at Woodburn in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday evening would complain about the rich entertainment as the Sharks XV snatched the spoils from Boland, 33-31, in a riveting match.

It was a game that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats from start to finish, with the win undecided four minutes into extra time. That was when Siya Masuku, who was supposed to start at flyhalf but didn’t because he was off colour with illness, stepped up to nail the winning penalty, even with Boland fullback James Tedder seemingly having kicked the winner a few minutes before.

The Currie Cup playoffs are beyond the seventh-placed Sharks XV, but their commitment to bringing through stars of the future is gaining ground. It is a case of better late than never as warrior skipper Nick Hatton’s youthful Sharks produce their best rugby as the round-robin games enter the final straight.

Next week, at Kings Park, the Sharks host the Pumas in a game that is preceded by the Sharks’ URC team entertaining Saracens. The Sharks and Durban Tourism are doing a good job in taking the Currie Cup games to the communities, and the Sharks players are responding to the excited support.

This win builds on their defeat of Western Province last week, which was their first win of the tournament. Among the youngsters who put their hand up for possible United Rugby Championship inclusion were right wing Phikolomzi Sobahle, centre Albie Bester, scrumhalf Ceano Everson, No 8 Hatton, flank Tino Mavesere, who will play for Zimbabwe in the 2027 World Cup, and hooker Jacques Marais.

Boland were captained by former Sharks skipper Louis Schreuder, and he found himself sin-binned early on for a deliberate knockdown. The Sharks were full of energy and running. Jean Smith at flyhalf is growing nicely. His father, Franco, the Glasgow Warriors coach and a former Springbok, would have been impressed.

The Sharks had a try disallowed when the promising Sobahle finished neatly from a blindside move, but the cover defence had forced his right foot onto the touchline. The Sharks did get it right in the 25th minute when a superbly executed maul propelled Marais over the line. The home team’s second try was a beauty. Slickly-worked phases and well-angled running put centre Bester over.

Boland, who were desperate to win to stay in touch with log leaders Griquas, hit back with a try by flank Sauliegh Arendse, off the back of an attacking lineout maul. But a Smith penalty pushed the Sharks into a 17-7 half-time lead. A Smith penalty put the Sharks 20-7 in front, but Boland never gave up, and wing Donovan Don finished wonderfully to put his team back in it.

Sharks hooker Marais scored his second, but this was undone by Boland prop Dayan van der Westhuizen. Smith was successful with his sixth kick at goal, but again Boland hit back, this time via prop HP van Schoor. Tedder, who went to school down the road from Woodburn at Kearsney College, was on song with his fifth shot at goal, but Masuku would have the last say.

Point-scorers

Sharks — Jacques Marais (2), Albie Bester. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (3), Siya Masuku.

Boland — Tries: Sauliegh Arendse, Donavon Don, Dayan van der Westhuizen, HP van Schoor. Conversion: James Tedder (4).