1
Match Highlights - Sharks sneak play-off spot, Lions secure second
By Peter Hanson
The Sharks booked their spot in the Super Rugby play-offs thanks to a workmanlike victory over the Jaguares in Durban on Saturday.
A costly defeat for the Rebels against the Highlanders earlier in the day left the door ajar for the South African franchise, who duly took the invitation with a 20-10 win.
Tries from Akker van der Merwe and Kobus van Wyk, coupled with three penalties from Robert du Preez, whose brother Dan was sin-binned in the first half, helped the Sharks to a 17-point cushion by the 53rd minute.
Sebastian Cancelliere's converted score reduced the arrears, but the Jaguares were unable to bring themselves back into the contest.
The Sharks' dubious reward for making the quarter-finals is a tie with the Crusaders, who dominated the regular season.
A 38-12 victory over the Bulls at Ellis Park ensured the Lions finished second behind the Crusaders in the overall standings.
The Waratahs' defeat to the Brumbies allowed the Lions to take advantage and Ruan Combrinck's brace, scores from Malcolm Marx, Courtnall Skosan and Aphiwe Dyantyi, and a penalty try secured a comfortable win and a possible home semi-final.
Swys de Bruin's men will face the Jaguares in the last eight.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars
3
Springboks flyhalf's latest injury worry
4
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
5
Latest Comments
Agree, the team isn't really in transition anymore, that happened very early, and looks to have been completed by the Argentina loss, that they fixed the cause of that Foster type result and it didn't happen again.
Disagree with how you want to lock in the team like this. As Cantab suggests the real way this team is going to move forward now is by maximising the talent, and there are plenty of other ways the forward pack could potential be improved, so it is going to need some creative and ingenuitive coaching if ABs are going to prove good enough anymore.
Go to commentsBecause Robertson is allergic to risk-taking. Perofeta and Plummer were never once trialled at First Five-Eight, Beauden was kept at Fullback for like half the season despite having close to ten players over the year who can play that position.
Go to comments