The Hollywoodbets Sharks secured a dramatic 21-15 victory over the DHL Stormers at Kings Park, ending their drought against their long-time bogey team.
The match unfolded with a combination of errors, great defense, and moments of brilliance, creating a thrilling spectacle for the crowd. The Sharks had a clear lead of 21-8 with just two minutes remaining, but the Stormers almost pulled off a stunning comeback. Despite a series of mistakes earlier in the match, the Stormers launched a brilliant multi-phase counter-attack that began at their own tryline.
With the game nearing its end, the Stormers’ Manie Libbok made a significant contribution, including a perfectly executed cross-kick aimed at scrumhalf Hershel Jantjies, whose run was halted by a desperate Sharks tackle. The ball was recycled, and Libbok found a gap to score under the posts. However, the drama didn’t end there. Although Libbok had earlier missed some kicks, he made no mistake with the conversion, bringing the Stormers within a single point, with only seconds left on the clock.
But, after reviewing the play, the TMO ruled out the Stormers’ try due to a minor knock-on by Libbok earlier in the buildup. This controversial decision left the Stormers heartbroken, as they had been denied what could have been a memorable victory. Throughout the match, the Sharks’ defense played a crucial role. Despite the Stormers dominating possession and territory, they failed to capitalize on their opportunities.
The Sharks’ defense, particularly from Siya Kolisi, James Venter, and Vincent Tshituka, kept the Stormers at bay. The Stormers’ errors, such as not kicking an early penalty goal, compounded their problems. Sharks captain Kolisi, in particular, played a key role in halting the Stormers’ attacks, while Tshituka made a crucial try-saving tackle on Jantjies.
The Sharks took the lead early on with tries from Ethan Hooker and Kolisi. Hooker scored after a penalty advantage allowed the Sharks to exploit space out wide, while Kolisi powered over to make it 14-0. Despite the Stormers’ dominance in the scrums and their territorial advantage, they couldn’t convert that pressure into points, partly due to errors such as Warrick Gelant’s failure to release the ball properly when there were unmarked players outside.
The Stormers did get on the scoreboard with a drop-goal from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and their attack finally bore fruit in the second half. Suleiman Hartzenberg chased down a kick into the Sharks’ in-goal area to score a try, narrowing the Sharks’ lead to 14-8. The Stormers continued to press but struggled with consistency in finishing chances.
The Sharks made the most of a Stormers mistake in their 22 when a misdirected pass from the Stormers allowed Andre Esterhuizen to score a try after Kolisi had forced the turnover. That made it 21-8 and seemed to secure the victory for the Sharks. However, the Stormers were awarded a penalty try in the dying seconds, giving them one final chance to win.
In a dramatic closing sequence, the Stormers attacked in what was their last chance to secure a victory, but their efforts were thwarted when the TMO intervened. The Sharks held on, securing the 21-15 win and ending their losing streak against the Stormers. While the Sharks may not have been at their best, their clinical finishing and solid defense were enough to clinch the victory.
For the Stormers, their errors and failure to capitalise on scoring opportunities cost them dearly. Despite their strong second-half performance, they were left to rue missed chances, and the disallowed try will be a point of contention for them. Nevertheless, both teams provided a gripping contest, with the Sharks’ win marking their third consecutive victory over recent URC champions. The match showcased the importance of clinical finishing, defensive resilience, and the fine margins that can decide a game at this level.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ win is a significant step forward in their campaign and a statement that they are back on track in the competition. The crowd at Kings Park, who witnessed this intense battle, will certainly look forward to more exciting rugby from both teams in the future.
