The Sharks’ playoff bid received a huge boost with a bonus-point Vodacom United Rugby Championship win against Benetton in Durban on Friday night.
Needing maximum points from the clash between the teams ranked eighth and ninth in the URC, it was all square 14-14 at half time before the Sharks accelerated to clinch a 43-33 victory in an 11-try thriller at Kings Park.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch scored 13 points and scrumhalf Grant Williams and left winger Makazole Mapimpi bagged two tries apiece as Neil Powell’s troops moved into sixth place on the standings before Saturday’s round of fixtures.
RACE FOR URC PLAYOFFS: What each SA team needs
The tourists struck early and in rapid succession when openside flanker Sebastian Negri and outside centre Ignacio Brex dotted down, with flyhalf Tomas Albornoz adding the extras to a perfect start.
But, the Sharks restored parity before the break as back-row bruiser Vincent Tshituka barged over for Bosch to goal the first of his two first-half conversions, the second capping Williams’ try from the back of a powerful attacking scrum.
The OFFLOAD ? @BenettonRugby have come to PLAY today! ? @Vodacom #URC | #SHAvBEN pic.twitter.com/5vXmA0BVKt
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 14, 2023
Pick and go by Vincent Tshituka ?
The Sharks claw Benetton back ?
Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/k0LD2ENMal
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) April 14, 2023
The hosts took the lead for the first time in the match just after the restart when skipper Siya Kolisi strolled into the endzone unmarked following a period of enterprising play and slick handling between forwards and backs.
Two more Bosch conversions and Williams’ second try kept the Sharks’ noses in front on the scoreboard, with No 12 Joaquin Riera and right winger Edoardo Padovani crossing the whitewash for Benetton as the match entered the final 20 minutes.
Big second half try from the captain ?
Siya Kolisi gives the Sharks a 19-14 lead against Benetton ?
Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/4e2XwjAWzn
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) April 14, 2023
Brilliant respect from both referee & Ox Nché ❤️@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvBEN | @SharksRugby pic.twitter.com/Tdm2D3vqC7
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 14, 2023
Tries from Mapimpi and a Bosch penalty, either side of Albornoz converting his own touchdown, capped off the closing exchanges as the hosts won the second-half shootout.
The Sharks beat Munster in the Champions Cup earlier this month and they will next Saturday host the Irish contenders for a second time when the final round of the URC regular season commences.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images