Curwin Bosch starred as the Sharks kicked off the weekend’s local derbies with a hard-earned bonus-point victory over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
Bosch scored a try, added three conversions and a penalty to contribute 14 points to the Sharks’ 29-7 victory.
BOSCH!
It’s @SharksRugby who strike first! ? @Vodacom #URC | #LIOvSHA pic.twitter.com/LxyZBRec05
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) February 18, 2023
The result improves the Sharks’ playoff hopes, who host Munster next week while the Lions will look to bounce back when they host Glasgow.
Both teams entered the game in desperate need of a win. The Sharks, coming off the back of a disappointing loss against the Stormers last weekend headed into the match in eighth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship table while the Lions entered laboring in 13th place.
It was a typical local derby with intense physicality, strong defence and some running rugby that saw five tries between the two teams.
A lacklustre first half saw the Lions and Sharks go into the break tied at 7-7. The game was scoreless for the first 20 minutes, during which Lions flyhalf Gianni Lombard shanked three penalties, before Bosch raced through a gap to give the Sharks the lead. Marius Louw then exploited some shaky defence from Bosch to score the equaliser.
This came after a sustained period of pressure in the opposition 22, during which replacement flanker Vincent Tshituka was sent to the bin.
Shortly after the break, Bosch used his boot to devastating effect as his 50-22 set up winger Thaakir Abrahams to go over in the corner off the resulting lineout as the visitors began to impose their will. Bosch would add a penalty from in front as they headed into the final quarter leading 17-7.
Replacement hooker Fez Mbatha dotted down off the back of the maul before Bosch put a delicate grubber through over the Lions tryline for scrumhalf Grant Williams to score the easiest of tries, securing the bonus point and wrapping up a vital victory.
Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images