BUENOS AIRES – The Sharks cracked the Jaguares’ unbeaten home record with a 33-25 victory to consolidate second place in Super Rugby’s Africa 2 conference in a tight contest at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday.
The teams shared a 3-3 try count, with Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch kicking 18 points, his fourth successful penalty after the 80th-minute hooter denying the Argentine side a bonus point.
The Sharks made a flying start with a try in the second minute by flank and captain Phillip van der Walt after the Jaguares failed to keep possession from the South African side’s kickoff.
The Jaguares played their way back into the match in the second quarter after scoring their first points from a Nicolas Sanchez penalty, and visiting scrumhalf Michael Claassens was sent to the sin-bin.
Two tries in quick succession by fullback Joaquin Tuculet and centre Matias Orlando saw the Argentine side take a 20-13 lead.
However, a long kick for touch by Sanchez deep into Sharks territory bounced favourably for fullback Rhyno Smith, who set off on a fast, swerving run, avoiding tackles until he was brought down 10 metres from the Jaguares line.
Replacement lock Etienne Oosthuizen then broke from a ruck to go over for the South African side’s second try, leaving the teams level at 20-20 at halftime.
Prop Thomas du Toit broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half when Oosthuizen broke out of a ruck and sent him over.
Massive effort by the @TheSharksZA team. One of the toughest fixtures on the calendar. Well done boytjies!
— Keegan Daniel (@KeeganDaniel) April 29, 2017
Another Bosch penalty 10 minutes later from the touchline increased the Sharks’ lead before Tuculet fielded his own kick ahead, broke free of two tackles and fed wing Bautista Ezcurra, who scored in the corner.
The Jaguares fell to a fourth consecutive defeat, having made a fine start to their second season in the competition with four wins in their opening five matches.
They made too many mistakes as they sought a fourth try that could have turned the match their way in a disappointing second-half performance in front of a home crowd of 10 000.
Points-Scorers
Jaguares 25 – Tries: Joachin Tuculet, Matias Orlando, Bautista Ezcurra. Conversions: Nicolas Sanchez (2). Penalties: Sanchez (2).
Sharks 33 – Tries: Philip van der Walt, Etienne Oosthuizen, Thomas du Toit. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (3). Penalties: Bosch (4).