Sharks make it two on the bounce against Stormers in URC coastal derby thriller

Another humdinger in Durban, another statement victory from the Sharks.

In a bruising, back-and-forth coastal clash, the home side outlasted the Stormers to claim a 36-24 bonus-point win and seal a second consecutive victory over their Cape rivals in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The visitors delivered a much-improved performance after last weekend’s loss; however, the Sharks were in the driving seat for most of the game, like in Cape Town, to score five brilliant tries for another positive result as they fight back in the URC after a tough start.

Captain André Esterhuizen again led the charge, but this time he had plenty of help from scrumhalf Grant Williams and flanker Siya Kolisi, who all played a telling role in the victory. While it was the Stormers who started fastest, scoring a try after 28 seconds, the home team had the last laugh in the coastal derby.

Bok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach touched down after a quick penalty tap following a brilliant kick-chase from the first kick-off. Flanker Paul de Villiers was first over the ball, with Esterhuizen judged to hold on.

Grant Williams returned the favour 10 minutes later when he took a quick tap off a penalty, crossing the line after evading a couple of tackles and showed what Reinach can do, he sure can too.

While the boot of captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kept the Stormers in the game, Sharks outside centre scored an easy try to get his team back in front shortly before halftime. But, another penalty of the Stormers No 10 gave them a slight lead of 15-14 at the break.

They had to fight a yellow card to Paul de Villiers and countless calls by referee Christopher Allison to stay in the fight. Meanwhile, the Sharks only received penalties against them for plenty of infringements without Allison going to his pocket once. Ruben van Heerden also received his marching orders in the second half.

De Villiers opened the scoring in the second half, but from there, it was all the Sharks. The Stormers’ inability to exit from kick-offs really hurt them, while their discipline also faltered in the second half.

Esterhuizen scored first for the Sharks, while winger Jaco Williams crossed for a double with his second coming off an error by replacement fullback Warrick Gelant. The ball crossed the try line after a kick, and Gelant looked to have dotted it down, but Allison, on the verdict, said he did not put pressure on the ball, with the Sharks winger doing so for the five-pointer.

That try sealed the match for the home side and a first double URC victory over the Stormers.

Points scorers

Sharks 36 (14): Tries: Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker, André Esterhuizen, Jaco Williams (2). Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (4). Penalty: Hendrikse. Stormers 24 (17): Tries: Cobus Reinach, Paul de Villiers. Conversion: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (4).