Two late tries - one an intercept - and both against the run of play, saved the Hollywoodbets Sharks blushes as they beat defending Vodacom United Rugby Championship champions Leinster 26-20 in Durban on Saturday night.
And while the Sharks kept their unbeaten record intact, it was hardly a classic performance from the side with the biggest budget in South Africa, as they struggled to plant a knockout blow against the Irish juggernaut in a game that was tense throughout.
And while the two late tries gave the Sharks the victory, their day was also summed up by the fact they failed to protect their ball in the final 90 seconds of the game, gave away a penalty and watched as Andrew Osborne scored in the opposite corner to give the Irish team a losing bonus point.
Just as they did against the Lions last weekend, Leinster saw that try give them something from a losing match with a young side and they won’t be too upset given the youngsters they had played over the past fortnight.
But it was a reminder that the Sharks, while still possessing the stars, and while things have shifted a bit in Durban under JP Pietersen, still have a lot of work to do before they can be the side they aim to be.
TOP OF THE LOG
That may sound a bit harsh, especially as the Sharks went top of the log with the bonus point win but they know they will have tougher games ahead.
While Leinster’s discipline in the first half was costly for them, their exceptional ability to keep the ball for long periods forced the Sharks into indiscipline in the second half, and took them close to a victory they wanted.
At one stage in the first half Leinster had conceded 10 penalties in the opening half hour, but by the end of the game the Sharks conceded 15 penalties to 13 of the opposition.
The scrum was exceptional on the evening and easily the highlight for the Sharks, and if they can build on this momentum, they can be a real force later in the season.
If Leinster’s Irish internationals - Andrew Porter included - hadn’t had enough scrum nightmares from last year’s test against the Springbok front row, then there was little doubt that the Sharks would let them forget it.
DU TOIT TERRORISED CLARKSON
The only difference was that this time it was Thomas Clarkson who bore the brunt of the referee’s ire, as Thomas du Toit bent, twisted and broke him in a string of penalties that led to an eventual yellow card.
Du Toit, who has been playing tighthead for the Boks of late, shifted to loosehead to give Clarkson nightmares in the setpiece and leaving looking bewildered after every scrum.
The Sharks may not have had too much else to shout about, but their scrum was certainly crowing for all who would witness.
It was good that it was, though, because other than that, they were forced to defend for large parts of the game, and their attack hardly dominated a Leinster team built on the back of Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system, a well-run juggernaut that lets very little through.
It was a combination of a little of Leinster’s tricks around the park, a well-organised defence and some Sharks inability to use their advantage to dominate the scoreboard that kept it close.
The scrum and some good competing at the breakdown got them out of trouble more than once, and this wasn’t close to Leinster’s first choice side.
SHARKS STRUGGLED TO IMPOSE THEMSELVES
That mystery that is unique to Durban’s rugby fields continues to confound. The team with so much talent, such a star-studded roster, and so much to offer still struggles to show themselves to be anything close to the Galacticos they want to be.
Ambition is one thing, but if they are to come close to the giants of Europe, they need to consistently show it - especially on their home ground.
It wasn’t surprising that the Sharks couldn’t plant the knockout blow - Leinster’s stats show 65 per cent possession and 70 per cent teriritory. It isn’t often a team has those sort of stats and ends up on the wrong side of the scoreline.
But it did show how little the Sharks could keep the ball and impose themselves.
For Leinster the locks Ryan Baird and Conor o’Tighearneah starred up front, while Robbie Henshaw had a blinder at the back.
The Sharks will look to both front rows, flanker Phepsi Buthelezi, man of the match Edwill van der Merwe and Bok midfielder Andre Estherhuizen as their players that stood up on the night.
It was Henshaw who scored the opener for Leinster, the result of several waves of attack that eventually created an easy overlap for the midfielder to score.
SCRUM WAS BRUTAL
In a half bereft of opportunities, the Sharks scrum took control, and after several penalties, a five metre setpiece offered Jaden Hendrikse the perfect opportunity to offload to Manu Tshituka to pop over and score untouched.
After anothe scrum demolition, the ball was scooted wide to Lili Bester, who made no mistake to score on the stroke of halftime and give the home side the lead.
Things got worse for Leinster as Clarkson was eventually given his marching orders in the second half, but despite that the visitors held out, and then scored from close range when he had just returned.
The Sharks discipline kept them on the back foot and it looked as if Leinster may sneak home when reserve flyhalf Sam Prendergast kicked a penalty on the hour mark to retake the lead.
And under the pump there was a moment of magic. It started with a dropped ball and Bok winger Edwill van der Merwe deep in his own 22. He ran straight, broke a tackle and found Eben Etzebeth, who galloped another 20 metres before giving the ball back to Van der Merwe. The winger returned the favour a few metres further for another Etzebeth gallop, before he sent the ball to Andre Esterhuizen to score. A try for the highlights channel if there ever was one.
That was followed by a burglary again by Van der Merwe, intercepting a long pass to score and put the Sharks beyond doubt. Leinster may have scored at the end but this was the Sharks game and Van der Merwe made it certain.
Scorers
Hollywoodbets Sharks - tries: Manu Tshituka, Lili Bester, Andre Esterhuizen, Edwill van der Merwe. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (3).
Leinster - tries: Robbie Henshaw, Thomas Clarkson, Andrew Osborne. Conversion: Caspar Gabriel. Penalty: Sam Prendergast.