Sharks first South African team to win on tour this season
Auckland Blues demolish Queensland Reds to keep play-off hopes alive
The Coastal Sharks became the first South African team to win on tour this season with a laboured 22-16 victory over the Melbourne Rebels on Friday, keeping them top of the Super Rugby standings.
The Durban outfit scored their only try off a counter-attack through Springboks winger JP Pietersen midway through the second half.
The Rebels strung together 14 phases in stoppage time to go after the clinching converted try, but the Sharks denied their hosts with a turnover inside their quarter.
We’re happy with our first win on tour and our first win away from home. But we definitely were not happy with our one-on-one tackles
The Sharks will hang on to the competition lead with a five-point break over the ACT Brumbies, who play the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Sharks were indebted to another flawless goal-kicking performance from Springboks back Frans Steyn, with five penalties and a conversion from six attempts.
But the Rebels stretched the Sharks defence and went into the final 10 minutes trailing by six points after replacement hooker Pat Leafa caught them unawares and scored wide out off a quick tap penalty by fly-half Bryce Hegarty.
It was a crucial win for the Sharks, who face a tough Australasian tour schedule against the Brumbies, Crusaders and Auckland Blues over the next three weeks.
“We’re happy with our first win on tour and our first win away from home,” said Sharks skipper Bismarck du Plessis. “But we definitely were not happy with our one-on-one tackles.”