Mvovo and Michalak secure Sharks upset win

Wing Lwazi Mvovo’s 74th-minute try and faultless kicking from Frederic Michalak carried the Sharks to an upset 26-23 win over the Bulls in an all-South African tussle on Saturday, giving them a Super rugby play-off berth at the expense of the holders.

Mvovo crossed the line after Patrick Lambie’s dummy and break and Ryan Kankowski’s burst stretched the Bulls defence to breaking point.

Earlier, French international flyhalf Michalak booted a drop goal and a 57th-minute penalty to regain the lead for the Sharks after the Bulls had drawn level at 16-16.

The visitors picked up their first try in the 37th minute when wing JP Pietersen raced on to Keegan Daniel’s perfectly-executed pass before setting up centre Stefan Terblanche.

The Bulls replied on the stroke of halftime as wing Gerhard van den Heever touched down after good work by Wynand Olivier.

Francois Hougaard, who shifted from scrumhalf to wing in the second half, notched a late second-half try for the Bulls.

Flyhalf Morne Steyn also booted three penalties and two conversions for the hosts. - Reuters