The Cell C Sharks scored a 33 / 29 victory over the Xerox Golden Lions in an ABSA Currie Cup warm-up match at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.
More than a win, Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, asked for his team to show the necessary determination in this warm-up match, and on that score, he will come away from this match well-pleased with their effort, with a victory thrown in for good measure.
Joe Pietersen opened the scoring after both sides showed good attacking intent early in the game, each having a chance to score but not closing out, before he successfully chased his deft grubber through the middle, the ball popping up nicely for him to score under the posts.
He converted for a 7 / 0 lead within the opening 10 minutes, both sides having turned down kickable penalties at goal in favour of playing as much rugby as possible – a commendable intention.
It was one such occasion, when the visitors kicked for the corner instead of posts and it paid off, as they secured their lineout in the Cell C Sharks 22m area, spread the ball wide for their opening try, scored in the corner and converted well from out wide to level matters on the quarter hour mark.
A strong build-up from the home side saw the ball moved wide with clinical precision off the back of a long, attacking lineout and wing Charles Mayeza took 2 defenders over the try line to put his side back into the lead.
There was no shortage of action as both teams gave the ball plenty of width, running at every opportunity, turning this into an exciting and enjoyable match for the Pietermaritzburg crowd that braved the cold.
It was 1 such exciting break down the flank that allowed the Lions to once again draw level, Courtnall Skosan showing pace to deliver his team’s 2nd try. Marnitz Boshoff converted to give the Lions the lead for the 1st time in the match, right about the half hour mark.
Moments later Skosan streaked down the same flank for the 3rd try, the successful conversion taking the Lions into a 21 / 12 lead. There was 1 last chance for the Cell C Sharks who came close to scoring in the last move of the half before the last pass failed to go to hand and the Lions enjoying a 9 point lead at halftime.
Director of Rugby Gary Gold threw on an almost completely changed side in the 2nd half – as he had stated he would – only Jean-Luc du Preez and Monde Hadebe remaining from the 1st half side. Hadebe was the man in control of the ball as the Cell C Sharks drove over early, although referee Stu Berry awarded a Penalty Try, with Lionel Cronje converting to bring his team right back into the game early on in the 2nd half.
There was the welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit, making his return after months of rehabilitation. He will be available to the Cell C Sharks for the ABSA Currie Cup until such time as the Springboks call him up for Rugby World Cup duty.
The 1st penalty slotted at goal for the match pushed the Lions into a 24 / 19 lead, but after some enterprising attacking play, and a great break from Thomas du Toit, who then fed Stefan Ungerer for the 4th Sharks try allowed them to draw level, before Cronje converted for a 2 point lead.
With their tails up, the Cell C Sharks visibly grew in confidence, with another determined and encouraging attack and although it wasn’t closed out, the pressure was starting to bear on the visitors who were battling to contain the home side.
After the Lions had knocked the ball on in their own 22m area, a powerful Cell C Sharks scrum laid the platform for the attack, with S’bura Sithole powering over in the corner to stretch their lead to 33 / 24 after Cronje converted from out wide.
The Lions, stung by 2 tries from the home side, managed to strike back right from the kick-off, with a driving try that brought them back to within 4 points, but with only a minute or 2 remaining, it was too little, too late.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks:
- Tries: Joe Pietersen (1), Charles Mayeza (1), Penalty Try (1), Stefan Ungerer (1), S’bura Sithole
- Conversions: Joe Pietersen (2), Lionel Cronje (2)
Xerox Golden Lions:
- Tries: Fabian Booysen (1), Courtnall Skosan (2), Jaco Kriel (1)
- Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3)
- Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff (1)
Teams:
Cell C Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Charles Mayeza, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Alcino Izaacs, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Khaya Majola, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick
Replacements: Juan Schoeman, Franco Marais, Thomas du Toit, Wiehan Hay, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Kleinhans, Dave McDuling, Christiaan de Bruin, Stefan Ungerer, Lionel Cronje, Sibusiso Sithole, Heimar Williams, Wandile Mjekevu, Odwa Ndungane, Garth April, Gerhard Engelbrecht, JC Astle, Tonderai Chavhanga.
Xerox Golden Lions: Justin Ackermann, Fabian Booysen, Marnitz Boshoff, Ruan Combrinck, Ross Cronje, Stephan de Wit, Ruan Dreyer, Lourens Erasmus, Nicolaas Hanekom, Alwyn Hollenbach, Lohan Jacobs, Jaco Kriel (Captain), Ruaan Lerm, Luvuyiso Lusaseni, Malcolm Marx, Sampie Mastriet, Howard Mnisi, Martin Muller, Jacques Nel, Mark Pretorius, Julian Redelinghuys, Ricky Schroeder, Courtnall Skosan, Albertus Smith, Jaco van der Walt, Jacques van Rooyen, Anthony Volmink, Harold Vorster, Vainon Willis.
Referee: Stuart Berry