Sharks power past gritty Scarlets to claim first URC win

The Sharks were not at their most fluid in attack but relied on forward firepower to subdue the Scarlets 29-19 for their first win of the United Rugby Championship season at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.

Skipper Eben Etzebeth led from the front as the Bok-stacked Sharks dominated the early exchanges in the Durban sunshine, laying the platform for a hard-fought victory in an extremely physical encounter.

It was telling that all four of the home team’s tries came from their big men.

The first came in the fifth minute after a strong break and fend by flank Siya Kolisi. A pop over the top by lively Grant Williams found No 7 Vincent Tshituka, who dotted down in the far right corner. Fly-half Jean Smith was unable to land the conversion.

Scrum-half Williams was particularly lively, but the Sharks struggled to make further headway on the scoreboard despite dominating territory and possession. The visitors were able to nullify their power in the scrums and lineout mauls early on.

The Scarlets made the Sharks pay for failing to press home their advantage with a break in the 17th minute that was finished off by hooker Marnus van der Merwe. Sam Costelow added the extra two points for the Welsh visitors.

But great hands by powerhouse midfielder Andre Esterhuizen after a Sharks rolling maul set Emmanuel Tshituka away for the Sharks’ second try a few minutes later, joining brother Vincent on the scoresheet. Smith made no mistake with the conversion this time.

The Scarlets hit back almost immediately after the kickoff, with Blair Murray pouncing on a loose ball following a clever kick over the top that caught the Sharks out. Costelow added the conversion as the Scarlets led 14-12 with more than 29 minutes played.

The home side finally made the most of a lineout a few metres from the Scarlets’ try line, with prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko driving over after peeling off the back of the rolling maul. Smith kicked the conversion, growing in confidence with a well-struck attempt.

Half-time came with the Sharks leading 19-14 in a tight encounter.

The second half began cagey, with the visitors drawing first blood as Tom Rogers cut through the defensive line off a scrum just inside the Sharks’ half to level the scores at 19-19.

But the Sharks’ undoubted forward firepower was again on display as Kolisi barged over for their bonus-point try following sustained pressure on the Scarlets’ try line. They led 26-19 with more than 10 minutes played in the second half.

The Sharks’ tight five began driving the Scarlets pack back as the half wore on, though the visitors remained firmly in the contest with less than 20 minutes left. A crucial Jean Smith penalty extended the lead to 29-19.

The Sharks defended well in the final stages, repelling a Scarlets lineout as Mazibuko held the ball up over the line in the 64th minute. Seconds later, they stopped an almost certain try following a Scarlets break down the right. A couple of scrum penalties and errors from the visitors also aided the home side.

A late yellow card for the Scarlets made their task even harder in the final seven minutes, as the match meandered to an inevitable conclusion, despite the Sharks being forced to weather some late pressure on their try line.

Points-scorers

Sharks 29 (19) - Tries: Vincent Tshituka, Emmanuel Tshituka, Mazibuko, Kolisi. Conversions: Smith (3). Penalty: Smith

Scarlets 19 (14) - Tries: Van der Merwe, Murray, Rogers. Conversions: Costelow (2).