Sharks Edge Bulls In Gritty URC Derby At Kings Park
It was far from fluent, but the Sharks produced a determined performance to defeat the Bulls 21–12 in a hard-fought Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Bulls were largely neutralised, managing only three points in the second half through the boot of Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard. Pollard accounted for all 12 of the visitors’ points on the night, but his accuracy was not enough to prevent a late Sharks surge.
The coastal derby carried extra significance, with the Bulls having eliminated the Sharks in last season’s URC semi-final. This time, however, it was the Durban outfit who had the final say.
The match marked JP Pietersen’s second game in charge of the Sharks after taking over from John Plumtree, who stepped down earlier this season. The former Springbok World Cup winner tasted victory again, having guided the Sharks to a win over Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup at the same venue last weekend.
Wearing their red third strip, the Sharks struggled at scrum time early on, conceding several penalties to a Bulls side still finding consistency under new head coach Johan Ackermann. Ackermann replaced former Springbok coach Jake White during the off-season following the Bulls’ URC final defeat to Leinster.
Despite the set-piece struggles, the Sharks started brightly. Hakeem Kunene intercepted a midfield pass inside his own half and sprinted the length of the field to score the opening try, with Jordan Hendrikse adding the conversion.
The Bulls responded through two Pollard penalties as they opted to take points rather than kick for touch. A second Sharks try by Phepsi Buthelezi was ruled out after Kunene was adjudged to have knocked on in the build-up.
Pollard added a third penalty just before the break, giving the Bulls a narrow 9–7 lead at half-time.
The Sharks were forced to tighten their scrum in the second half, clearly missing injured prop Ox Nché, who was sidelined after picking up a knock during the Springboks’ European tour. Points were scarce early in the half, with both sides turning over possession in midfield.
Pollard extended the Bulls’ lead to 12–7 in the 57th minute with his fourth penalty, but the momentum soon shifted. As the Sharks built sustained pressure and the Bulls conceded repeated set-piece infringements, Siya Kolisi powered over from close range to put the home side ahead 14–12 with ten minutes remaining.
With Kings Park roaring, the Sharks kept their composure. In the final minutes, Jaden Hendrikse deftly chipped the ball over the ruck, allowing Edwill van der Merwe to gather and dive over for the decisive try.
The final whistle sparked celebrations at the iconic Durban venue, complete with fireworks, as the Sharks claimed a deserved 21–12 victory and exacted revenge for last season’s semi-final heartbreak.
