Celebrations at Kings Park as Bismarck du Plessis scores for the Cell C Sharks

The Cell C Sharks are still in contention for their first Super Rugby trophy after beating the Highlanders 31 to 27 at Kings Park tonight.

The Sharks must thank their forwards, and in particular their front row for this victory. Their scrum absolutely decimated the Highlander’s scrum and lead to 6 points in penalties and an all important try to man of the match, Bismarck Du Plessis.

The tactics of not kicking to touch almost cost the Sharks the match as the Highlander’s counter attack was devastating and almost won the game for them. It is a dangerous ploy from the Sharks to gift the ball back to the opposition, considering that their next opponents are also a New Zealand side, and that’s not even taking into account that they might also still have to face the Waratahs or Brumbies, who in Israel Folau and Jessie Mogg have devastating counter runners at their disposal as well.

Is Jakeball the blueprint to success is what they need to ask themselves this week, they won the game, but in many ways it was almost as if they got out of jail. Both Marcell Coetzee and Jean Deysel looked very good on attack, but if only they can take a leaf out of Jacques Potgieter’s book and learn to either offload or at least look whether there is another team mate in a better position to whom they can pass.

Potgieter, while still at the Bulls, played the same “head down and charge” mentality game, but ever since he has been under the influence of the Waratahs, his game has evolved. He is still a devastating runner, but has added additional bows to his quiver and plays for space and his team mates more than for himself.

The try Chavanga scored was down to Bismarck passing the ball to him. During the same move Deysel bashed forward, ball clutched under his arm with no intention of passing. Is this the game plan from the Sharks and are Coetzee and Deysel under strict instruction to not pass the ball ever?

Young Thomas Du Toit is one player who can take a bow. Together with Jannie and Bismarck Du Plessis, he helped lay the foundation for their victory. Outstanding scrummaging by the youngster. Ryan Kankowski was another stand out player, being the go-to man for the Sharks in the line out.

Paul Jordaan in the back line stood out and showed early in the game that he can mix it with the Felitoa’s of this world if he is allowed to and is given the ball with space. Luwazi Mvovo had a match he would surely want to forget. Frans Steyn was solid with his kicks at goal, but both he and Cobus Reinach were the main culprits in kicking the ball aimlessly back to the Highlanders.

If that was the tactics and game plan, surely they should have realized that, as Bismarck said in his post match interview, “they ran us to pieces at stages” that they should change tactics and kick the ball to touch?

The spirit the Sharks showed in fighting back after trailing at half time must be lauded, and the only thing that counts is that they got the first win of the three they need to win their first Super Rugby trophy.

Jamie Joseph’s men produced an outstanding display of attacking rugby to hold off the power of the Sharks, but it was only momentary in a contest that ebbed and flowed in favour of each side on the east coast.

So many of the Highlanders group excelled. Jarrad Hoeata, Patrick Osborne and Malakai Fekitoa all stood out but ultimately their efforts were in vain.

The Sharks power game eventually made the difference, with Tonderai Chavhanga’s breakaway try adding a rare touch of flair from the home side.

They ensured that there will be a South African representation in the Super Rugby semi-finals next weekend.

The Highlanders had won here before this season, the only side from overseas to do so, and when their tails were up they were hugely difficult to contain.

Sharks power against Highlanders flair always felt like a slight mismatch on paper. At half-time though with the New Zealand side ahead that prediction was being mocked.

Within the opening 15 minutes the home side had splintered their visitors with a phenomenal scrum and then marched over for the game’s first try, from a rolling maul for Marcell Coetzee.

Up 10-0, the Sharks produced that strangling, Test-match style rugby promised by Jake White earlier in the week – but not without a small gamble from their skipper in kicking to the corner.

The Sharks persistence though to pin the Highlanders deep in their own half through the boot though was completely reminiscent of international rugby. Given the danger posed by the Highlanders back-line, it was both sensible and effective.

Double movement denied Jannie du Plessis of a rare try and Elliot Dixon came just short too, unable to gather Jarrad Hoeata’s offload with the line at his mercy. Sopoaga’s penalty in the 25th minute put the Highlanders on the board.

Steyn responded with another three-pointer but Malakai Fekitoa’s seventh try of the season was the key score of the half, the timing of the pass spot on for the All Blacks centre to hit the line and have the speed and step to score.

It was a brilliant solo score, with Sopoaga’s conversion bringing the score to 13-10.

Steyn’s goal-kicking had been sound until his fourth strike, all from the right, came back off the posts four minutes before the break.

Thriving off turnover ball, the Highlanders always looked threatening on the break despite the efforts from the Sharks to pin them back.

The try to put them ahead was a work of utter class. Sparked from Ben Smith’s tapped penalty, a string of perfect offloads from 15-1 with a chip over the top from Sopoaga in the middle ended with Kane Hames galloping over for one of the tries of the season. Beauty, for now, was overcoming the beast.

Would the Sharks stick to the script or adapt? Their reliance on the maul and scrum were was so clear when a blindside snipe from Cobus Reinach and Lwazi Mvovo broke down it came as no surprise.

The Highlanders hacked upfield and eventually won a penalty for Sopoaga to stretch the lead to seven points.

Perhaps inspired the Sharks opened up themselves, lacking the touches of accuracy but at least threatening through the likes of S’bura Sithole and JP Pietersen.

Their scrum remain unrelenting, pulverising the Highlanders off their own ball five metres out and with the ball loose Bismarck du Plessis was sharp enough to reach the ball first to score.

Unglamourous sure, but just as effective as the all-thrills action from the Highlanders. Steyn’s conversion drew things level at 20-20.

Tonderai Chavhanga snuck up the blindside unable to be stopped as he hit the afterburners for a 12-point turnaround in a matter of minutes. There’s no substitute for that kind of pace, but spare a thought for the replaced Mvovo who’s been waiting for a pass like the one from Bismarck to Chavhanga all season to no avail.

There was still time for the extraordinary. Patrick Osborne was starting to simmer and after Reinach’s clearance missed touch, the flying wing latched onto Ben Smith’s inside ball and then produce a stunning offload out the back for Phil Burleigh to score try number six on the night. Sopoaga converted to swing the lead again at 25-27.

Pat Lambie’s first appearance since March lifted a silenced crowd and although Jean Deysel was distraught when he knocked on short of the line, the positioning of another five-metre scrum gave the Sharks hope, even with Thomas du Toit and Jannie du Plessis off the field.

The outcome was familiar; great power giving Steyn a kickable penalty and putting the Sharks ahead by a single point with seven minutes to go.

The Highlanders just couldn’t get the possession as the clock wound down to produce another score. The Sharks march onto Christchurch to face the Crusaders, having been hugely tested, Steyn’s fourth penalty confirming their progress.

Scorers:

Cell C Sharks:

• Tries: Marcell Coetzee (1), Bismarck du Plessis (1), Tonderai Chavanaga (1)
• Conversions: Francois Steyn (2)
• Penalties: Francois Steyn (4)

Highlanders:

• Tries: Malakai Fekitoa (1), Kane Hames (1), Phil Burleigh (1)
• Conversions: Lima Sopoaga (3)
• Penalties: Lima Sopoaga (2)