Sharks fullback Nevaldo Fleurs kicked a conversion after the hooter to clinch a thrilling comeback victory over the Pumas in the Currie Cup match at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
The Sharks trailed for most of the contest but produced a spirited fightback at the death with two quickfire tries to give Fleurs a hero moment, and he obliged to secure the 24-22 win, the Durbanites’ fourth on the trot.
It was a low-scoring affair in the first half as strong defence was the story of the day with both sides looking to kick deep, determined to play in the right areas of the field.
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The Sharks did take an immediate lead when flanker James Venter went over in the first minute, but the Pumas patiently invested in the boot of Tinus de Beer who slotted three penalties to give the hosts a 9-5 lead at the break.
The Sharks lost flyhalf Lionel Cronje to a yellow card at the end of the first quarter but that was negated when, minutes later, Pumas prop Njabulo Gumede was shown a red card for a head clash with Venter.
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De Beer added another penalty early in the second half and then slotted a drop goal from right in front of the sticks to make it 15-5 at the end of the third quarter.
But the Pumas were then reduced to 13 men when lock Shane Kirkwood was sent to the naughty chair for cynical play, and the Sharks found their bite.
Replacement hooker Dan Jooste dotted down off the back of an attacking maul to make it a five-point game heading into the final 10 minutes.
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The Pumas were clinging on and appeared to have done enough when, with eight minutes to go, replacement scrumhalf Giovan Snyman crossed for the hosts’ first try of the night.
But the numerical disadvantage had taken its toll and the Sharks could smell it. Flanker Dylan Richardson and prop Dian Bleuler powered across the line in the final five minutes and Fleurs banged over the game-winning conversion which secured their spot in the final four.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images