After their 21-15 victory in their United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, here’s how the Sharks players performed on Friday.
Sharks player ratings v Cardiff
15 Luan Giliomee: After an outstanding debut against Munster last week, the teenager only lasted 18 minutes before being forced off with Le Roux Malan replacing him. N/A
14 Yaw Penxe: The 28-year-old showed his class with a well-taken try in the latter stages of the opening half and continued to look dangerous on attack as the match progressed. Also impressed when competing in the aerial duels. 7
13 Ethan Hooker: Returned to action after missing the Munster clash due to a family bereavement and impressed on either side of the ball while also doing well aerially. 7
12 Andre Esterhuizen (c): The Sharks skipper led from the front as he came to the fore with great physicality on attack and defence. Esterhuizen‘s calm leadership also proved crucial, especially in the latter stages of the game when Cardiff were chasing the game. 8
11 Makazole Mapimpi: The experienced Springbok was caught out of possession for both of Cardiff’s opening tries and did not make a big impact with ball in hand. Despite that, he was solid on defence and under the high ball. 5
10 Jordan Hendrikse: The 24-year-old showed some deft touches on attack early on before being yellow carded or a deliberate knock on. That proved costly as Cardiff scored a try while he was in the sin bin. Did make some solid runs but his decision making let him down when the Sharks were chasing a trying to secure a try-scoring bonus-point late on. 5
9 Bradley Davids: He had big boots to fill as he came into the starting XV as a replacement for injured Springboks star Grant Williams but Davids can be happy with his performance as he was solid throughout. 6
The forwards
8 Nick Hatton: One of the home side’s most improved players this season, Hatton was prominent from the outset and impressed with ball in hand and on defence for the full 80 minutes. 7
7 Vincent Tshituka: Was in the thick of the action from the kick-off as he came to the fore with an impressive all-round performance. Tshituka was a willing ball carrier, did his bit on defence and was a valuable source of possession in the lineouts, especially on Cardiff’s throw-ins where he won a couple of balls. 7
6 Phepsi Buthelezi: The one-Test Springbok missed out on a call-up to the world champions’ recent alignment camp but sent Rassie Erasmus a timely reminder of his ability with a superb 60-minute performance. Along with his captain, Buthelezi led the way with ball in hand, and he finished with a match-high 15 carries, was rewarded with two well-taken tries and the official man-of-the-match prize after the game. 8
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5 Emile van Heerden: Another one of the home side’s forwards who made his mark with a huge work-rate on attack and defence while he was also at the forefront in the lineout battle where he won his fair share of balls. 8
4 Jason Jenkins: The Sharks enforcer made some strong carries with ball in hand while he also did his bit on defence and proved a handy option at the front of the lineout. 7
3 Hanro Jacobs: The 26-year-old did what was expected of him in the execution of his core duties before being replaced by the experienced Vincent Koch late in the first. 6
2 Fez Mbatha: Sharks coach JP Pietersen actually replaced his entire starting front-row on the half-hour mark which meant Eduan Swart took Mbatha’s spot but the starting hooker put in a solid shift during his time on the field. 6
1 Phatu Ganyane: Depite having to make way for the outstanding Ox Nche after 30 minutes, like Jacobs and Mbatha, Ganyane did little wrong as Pietersen’s front-row substitutions looked like a pre-planned tactical move. 6
Replacements: The Sharks’ front-row changes had the desired effect as Nche and Koch’s experience in the scrums won their team some crucial penalties when they entered the fray. Meanwhile, Jannes Potgieter caught the eye with some powerful carries when he replaced Buthelezi during the latter part of the second half while Malan was solid at the back once he came on for Giliomee. 7