Currie Cup: Sharks gain confidence with attritional win over Bulls

With the rain teeming down, the opening half was a war of attrition. Keeping it close to the forwards, the Bulls would strike first. A penalty resulted in a lineout on Sharks' 5m line and the subsequent maul stayed tight, allowing hooker Akker van der Merwe to fall over the line for the score.

The visitors then had a chance to extend their lead thanks to a penalty at the breakdown. SA-born Scottish star Jaco van der Walt split the uprights to make it 8-0.

On the 30-minute mark, the Sharks were finally rewarded for their endeavour. A brave backline move from a lineout saw the ball go through the hands to flanker Dylan Richardson who crashed over for five points. The talented Siya Masuku added the extras and that's how it stayed until the break.

Early in the second stanza, that man Masuku kicked a great penalty from a tough angle to put the hosts in the lead for the first time in the match. The teams swapped two more penalties before the Bulls scored a superb try from long range. Eighthman Cameron Hanekom made the initial break and then offloaded to Embrose Papier who chipped, chased and slid over the whitewash for a fine individual effort.

Down 18-13, Masuku pointed to the poles to reduce the deficit to two points with ten minutes to play. The Bulls then failed to deal with a deep kick in the slippery conditions, resulting in a 5m scrum to the Sharks. They spread it wide and Jordan Hendrikse would glide over in the corner to snatch the lead back.  

The Bulls threw caution to the wind in the dying embers of the clash, throwing the ball around, but the Sharks' defence held firm until they earned a penalty on the final hooter. Masuku chipped it over for good measure.

READ MORE: Humble Rassie Erasmus plays down Boks double over All Blacks