Sharks run riot over Griffons to seal Currie Cup semifinal spot

Makazole Mapimpi scored four tries, Eduan Keyter three and Lionel Cronje, Emmanuel Tshitshika and James Venter got one apiece. Griffons hooker Villem van der Hever and Qamani Kota goot their names on the try column for the visitors.

The Durbanites finish third, six points ahead of the Cheetahs in fourth and thus have guaranteed their progress with one more round to go.

Mapimpi's opposite winger Eduan Keyter picked up a hat-trick of tries for himself. The course of the match was set from the kickoff with Mapimpi chasing down a long kick into Griffons' territory before steaming over down the left touchline.

His fellow wing, Keyter, was soon into his stride a few minutes later, also cruising over. Both tries were converted by veteran flyhalf Lionel Cronje who finished with a try and six conversions.

The Griffons at least made a brave effort to take the play to the Sharks, and they were rewarded with two tries from their hooker, Willem van den Heever. His second involved an outrageous dummy down the right wing as the visitors contributed their fair share of entertainment in the first half which produced eight tries.

The Sharks, however, were always way too skilled for their opponents, and Keyter popped up on the left wing to score the home team's bonus point try after 23 minutes. Cronje even joined in the fun shortly afterwards, breaking the line and running in a try from 50 metres.

The Sharks led 40-12 at the break, and it could have been more if they had been a little more accurate in their execution.

With the win behind their backs in the second half, the Griffons exerted some early pressure, without managing to reduce the scoreline.

Keyter then picked up his second try after some brilliant handling by backs and forwards enabled Jordan Hendrikse to power through before releasing Keyter to the line. The hard-running abrasive winger then grabbed his third before Mapimpi literally ran through the Griffons' team from first-phase ball to secure his fourth.

At this stage the Griffons looked overwhelmed, but the likes of wing Andrew Kota and Gurshwin Nikhole Wehr showed good pace and brilliant stepping on occasion with the latter scoring his fifth Currie Cup try of the season to conclude the scoring two minutes before the end.

Sharks' flyhalf Siya Masuku replaced Cronje midway through the second half and contributed four conversions and some fine generalship in his first game for a couple of months.

Scorers:

For Sharks:

Tries: Mapimpi 4, Hendrikse, Keyter 3, Cronje, Venter, E. Tshituka

Cons: Cronje 6, Masuku 4

For Griffons

Trues: Van der Hever 2, Wehr

Cons: Kota 2

Yellow cards: Gurshwin Wehr (Griffons, 22 - deliberate knock down), Moango Ngundue (Griffons, 27 - deliberate knock down)

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Corne’ Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Braam Reynecke.

Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester.

Griffons: 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Qamani Kota, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Dewald Human, 8 Mingo Piti, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Jared Kruger, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Matthew Gray, 3 Moango Ngundue, 2 Willem van der Hever, 1 Xolani Jacobs.

Replacements – from: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Edwin Nxumalo, 19 Wikus Niewenhuis, 20 Rian Olivier, 21 Calla Pienaar, 22 Keegan Schaefer, 23 Cheslin Arendse, 24 Joshua Paris, 25 David Bunduki, 26 Gilroy Philander.

Referee: Paul Mente

TMO: Egon Seconds

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