Lions Snatch Dramatic URC Win Over Sharks Despite Red Card
JP Pietersen’s winning start as Sharks head coach came to a dramatic end as the Emirates Lions edged the hosts 23–22 in a thrilling United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.
Despite playing the majority of the second half with 14 men, the Lions sealed victory when Hassiem Pead crossed for a late try after the hooter, handing the visitors a third consecutive URC win in Durban.
The Lions, who struggled badly in last season’s competition, arrived in KwaZulu-Natal having won on their previous two visits and were eager to make it three in a row on a sunny afternoon.
They made a blistering start, putting the Sharks under immense pressure and scoring two tries inside the opening 10 minutes. Etienne Oosthuizen and Franckie Horn crossed the whitewash, while flyhalf Chris Smith was flawless from the tee, converting both tries and adding an early penalty.
At that stage, it appeared Pietersen might suffer his first defeat since replacing John Plumtree, having won his opening two matches in charge.
The Sharks finally hit back in the 15th minute when Emanuel Tshituka powered over the line after sustained phases of pressure.
Captain Siya Kolisi, who recently stunned the rugby world by announcing he will leave the Sharks at the end of the season to join the Stormers, added the home side’s second try. Kolisi broke away from a driving maul to score, with Jordan Hendrikse converting to cut the deficit to just two points.
The momentum shifted late in the first half when Lions lock Ruan Venter was sin-binned for a dangerous head-on collision with Aphelele Fassi, who had caught the ball in the air. The incident was referred for review.
The Sharks capitalised on the numerical advantage as André Esterhuizen forced his way over for their third try. However, despite being down a man, the Lions went into halftime still leading 18–17.
Early in the second half, Kolisi thought he had scored his second try of the match, but it was disallowed after a knock-on near the tryline, with the Lions awarded a scrum.
Following further review, Venter’s yellow card was upgraded to a red card, leaving the Lions to contest the remainder of the match a man down.
The Sharks ramped up the pressure, and former Lions winger Edwill van der Merwe haunted his old side with a moment of brilliance. Showing electric pace, he raced past Angelo Davids after collecting a perfectly weighted kick from Esterhuizen to score the Sharks’ fourth try, earning the home side a bonus point and their first lead of the match.
Remarkably, the Lions refused to fold. After sustained pressure and multiple infringements by the Sharks, Pead peeled off the back of a lineout to score the decisive try at the death, completing a famous win and underlining the Lions’ resurgence this season.
