By Lucky Maree
Things are not going well in the Sharks camp — while things in the Western Province are certainly looking up.
Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell said yesterday that the Sharks “had let themselves down” against Scarlets. It’s the bland statement that losing coaches make. The truth is they were truly pathetic, returning Springboks or not.
The Stormers, on the other hand, gave 100% to get the draw against log leaders Leinster. Returning players Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse hit the ground running — and at full speed. No doubt WP coach John Dobson would be happy with that performance.
How will that impact the Currie Cup players on the field, today? It’s about the culture, isn’t it?
After 12 minutes Sharks fullback Yaw Penxe scores an excellent try in the corner and five minutes later they are back on the Western Province line and looking like they mean business. After 20 minutes they are 8-0 ahead. A good start.
Five minutes later Pk Sobahle scores the second try for the Sharks.
Province are struggling to find their rhythm. They have players like Scarra Ntubeni, Juan de Jongh and Sacha Mngomezulu in the lineup, but perhaps eight debutants are a few green players too many. Will they respond?
Yes. Fazeel Robinson gets Province’s first try which flyhalf Kade Wolhuter converts and, trailing by six points, they are right back in the game.
So far, scrumhalf Bradley Davids has been the livewire playmaker for the Sharks, keeping his team on the attack.
At halftime, the Sharks are still the better side, but Province have contained the tidal wave.
Amazingly, halfway through the second half, very little has happened as both teams struggle with cohesion. Promising moves end up going nowhere as individual players run out of support. The last quarter of the match better produce some fireworks or this might become a very forgettable event.
What is memorable, is when Yaw Penxe kicks a ball forward and two Province players end up lying on the ground as they run into each other, leaving Penxe to trot up and score the most ridiculous of tries. Sacha Mngomezulu is sent off for a head injury assessment.
Unfortunately, the Sharks have once again played uninspiring rugby and Province have not done anything to get excited about. As a step towards Springbok rugby, this is not a great showcase for either team.
Pictured above: Sharks (3 tries) 20-7 (1 try) Western Province
Image source: @sharksrugby
