Playmaker Brent Russell was surprisingly benched by the Sharks for the first 39 minutes of their Absa Currie Cup rugby match against the Lions in Durban on Saturday which the home side won 22-16.
The Sharks led 12 – 6 at half-time.
But once introduced shortly before halftime, Russel fitted in superbly with a Sharks side that surprised and delighted in a running display in securing a three-try to one victory over the much-vaunted Highveld side. A possible bonus point try was disallowed by TMO referee Johan Greeff.
The Lions, for their part, had to rely on three penalty goals for the major part of the game as the Sharks upped their performance in a stunning display of handling — previously their weak point — and flair amongst the backs.
The forwards did their job in holding off the Lions pack and it was only in the last minute that Lions skipper, Wickus van Heerden, broke the impasse and scored a try, converted by flyhalf substitute Nel Fourie who also landed a penalty goal after being introduced midway through the second half.
Up till then the Sharks defenders were magnificent and heroic and no matter what the Lions did in midfield they were gobbled up by the eager men in black and white.
For much of the early part of the first half there was a lack-lustre atmosphere, but one always sensed that the Sharks were lying in wait for their prey on the day.
The 17 500 spectators warmed to the occasion as Johann Muller inspired his men and few passes were dropped in a blistering succession of quick and decisive hand-to-hand movements.
An attempted dropgoal by flyhalf Tiaan Snyman amidst scrambling play was off target for the Lions and wing Wylie Human was a shade lucky only to be shown a yellow card by referee Deon von Blommenstein as he body-blocked the flying Brent Hennessey to halt a threatening Sharks attack.
With Human off, fullback JP Pietersen and the swift running Sharks backs mounted a similar attack down the left flank and up in support was wing Henno Mentz who notched the opening five-pointer.
Sustained Sharks pressure brought centre Rudi Keil a try that the Lions disputed for not being a fair touchdown, but it stood and Kruger was on target with his kick.
The Lions nearly hit back on the stroke of half-time but Human was stopped in his tracks.
In the second half the visitors were never allowed to get their game into gear and were caught napping when Pietersen upended his opposite fullback Conrad Jantjes on his own line and secured a decisive scrum five metres out.
The resultant pressure on the Highveld men gave halfback Bennie Nortjie half a chance and he sliced through a gap for the Sharks third try. Kruger duly converted.
Nortjie was then replaced by Dave von Hoesslin in a tactical switch. The Lions brought on Jano Vermaak and Nel Fourie as a new halfback combination and Fourie immediately obliged with a third penalty for the Lions. (19-9).
Russell was then moved to fullback with JP Pietersen benched, as the Sharks were denied a bonus point try from Mentz.
Kruger kicked a decisive penalty, before Van Heerden grabbed the Lions consolation try, which was worth a bonus point as it cut the winning margin to less than seven points.
Scorers:
Sharks 22 (12) : Tries: Henno Mentz, Rudi Keil, Bennie Nortjie. Conversions: Herkie Kruger (1), Penalties: Herkie Kruger (1)
Lions: 16 (6) : Tries: Wickus van Heerden. Conversions: Nel Fourie (1), Penalties: Tiaan Snyman (2), Nel Fourie (1).
– Sapa