By Lucky Maree
Hot and humid 10 minutes before the game, the weather in Durban is certainly playing its part.
Will the Sharks play their part? Their victory against the Lions last week, comprehensive as it was, means nothing.
Ulster are looking for a big win, although the weather will be tough for the Ulstermen as much as the weather punishes the South Africans when they’re in Ireland. The Sharks could pull it off if they turn on the heat (so to speak).
The Sharks could not wish for a better start than scrumhalf Grant Williams cutting through the Ulster backline and running half the length of the field to score a brilliant individual try.
After six minutes, Ulster have not been in the game. Suddenly they are looking particularly flatfooted and it could turn out to be a long afternoon for them.
After the first quarter the Sharks have one beautiful try in bag, Ulster have a penalty and got within five yards once – but other than that, nothing has happened.
On 23 minutes Ulster say no thank you to a penalty and go for the lineout. It seems all too simple the way they push over for the try. And suddenly Ulster look like the better team.
On 30 minutes, against the run of play, Thaakir Abrahams scores under the posts after power handling by the Sharks, breaking the advantage line twice.
Less spectacular, but just as effective, is the Ulster push-over forwards try.
While the scoreboard looks exciting, on the field, the play is still without rhythm.
At halftime the Sharks are trailing by 5 points (12-17) but they have fallen back into playing without imagination and, more importantly without fire.
Hopefully, somebody in the changeroom will have kicked them under the backside enough to get some passion into their play.
No such luck.
Ulster score an unusual try when Grant Williams rolls the ball backwards over the tryline and Stewart Moore rushes up and falls on the ball for the try.
With the Sharks 12 points behind, Curwin Bosch elects to go for the easy penalty but the ball falls off the tee and Bosch, rushing the kick as the clock ticks down, hooks the ball wide of the posts.
At last the Sharks show some dominance in the loose and they are rewarded with a forwards try. With the Sharks trailing by five, the game can go either way.
When Ulster once again score a try against the crumbling defence of the Sharks, Ulster lead by 12 with 20 minutes to go.
A full quarter in a rugby match is ample time to pull back a 12 point deficit, provided the Sharks want it.
Maybe they do want it. A beautiful backline movement leads to an excellent try for Boeta Chamberlain. If they can do that after 70 minutes, why didn’t they do it after 20 minutes?
Crucially, Curwin Bosch misses the conversion, leaving them still needing two scores to win.
With seven minutes to win, the Sharks seem to kick into high gear and it is all Ulster can do to stop them from scoring. Why, oh why, wait until the time has almost run out?
Lionel Cronje goes for a very marginal kick-pass which Ulster gratefully accept and kick into the stands as the hooter blows.
In fairness, Ulster have not played a game they will remember forever, but they scored when it mattered.
Once again the Sharks have staggered to a passionless defeat. Where will the magic come from? Nobody seems to know.
Sharks (4 tries) 24-31 (4 tries) Ulster.
Pictured above: Ulster taking on the Sharks
Image source: @UlsterRugby
