The Sharks managed to hold off a late surge by the Stormers by the skin of their teeth to secure a 21-15 victory at Kings Park in Durban. This marked their third consecutive win against a former or defending URC champion.

The Sharks held a 14-3 lead at halftime, courtesy of tries by Ethan Hooker and Siya Kolisi, both converted by former Cheetahs flyhalf Siya Masuku.

The Stormers got on the board early in the second half when Leolin Zas scored. The Sharks struck back, with Springbok centre André Esterhuizen scoring a converted try to stretch the lead to 21-8.

However, late drama ensued as the Stormers were awarded a penalty try in the 79th minute. The Stormers then pushed for the win through several phases, leading to Manie Libbok crossing the try line in what was initially thought to be the winning score. But TMO Marius Jonker ruled a knock-on at the back of a ruck, cancelling what would have been a strong contender for Try of the Year and denying the Cape Town team victory.

Although the Stormers came close, they will rue the missed opportunities earlier in the game, including not taking penalty shots when they were on offer and failing to convert pressure into points. For the Sharks this was their first-ever win against the Stormers in the URC.

Scorers:
Sharks: Tries – Ethan Hooker, Siya Kolisi, André Esterhuizen Conversions – Siya Masuku (2), Jordan Hendrikse

Stormers: Tries – Leolin Zas, Penalty try Drop goal – Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Late drama at Hollywoodbets Kings Park ??

A little knock-on chalks off the DHL Stormers try and the Hollywoodbets Sharks hold on for the win ??#VURC pic.twitter.com/b4yTHF2xes

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 30, 2024

Bulls bag five points in Galway

Meanwhile, the Bulls collected a full house of five points during their first-ever win in Galway, defeating Connacht 28-14 at the Sportsground.

The Bulls ran in four tries on the night against the ever-tough Irish outfit, securing a bonus point and building confidence ahead of their European Champions Cup clash against Saracens in England next week.

Sebastian de Klerk and Embrose Papier each scored converted tries, giving the 2023/24 finalists a 14-0 halftime lead. Early in the second half, David Kriel sold a beautiful dummy to score the Bulls’ third try and extend their lead. Springbok Canan Moodie then secured the bonus point with the fourth try about ten minutes later.

David Kriel can’t be stopped ??

The No.13 flies over the line for the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby third try of the day ??#BKTURC #URC | #CONvBUL pic.twitter.com/JILEhsEjGy

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 30, 2024

Connacht managed to score two late tries, with David Hawkshaw and Caolin Blade crossing the whitewash, while Cathal Forde added the extra points on each occasion.

Scorers:
Connacht: Tries – David Hawkshaw, Caolin Blade Conversion – Cathal Forde

Bulls: Tries – Sebastian de Klerk, Embrose Papier, David Kriel, Canan Moodie Conversions – Johan Goosen (4)

Munster break duck against South African opposition

Over in Limerick, the Lions suffered their second successive defeat to an Irish team, losing 17-10 to Munster at Thomond Park.

The Lions led 10-7 at halftime, thanks to a Henco van Wyk try and a conversion and penalty from Kade Wolhuter. Munster, in turn, scored a converted try through former Sharks winger Thaakir Abrahams.

In the second half, the Red Army dominated, with Shane Daly and Emerging Ireland captain Alex Kendellen crossing the line to seal the victory.

For Munster it was their first win over a South African team in three games following back-to-back defeats against the Stormers and Sharks in Cape Town and Durban before the international break.

Henco van Wyk has it all ???

?? Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/GmAjocU1ug

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 30, 2024

Scorers:
Munster: Tries – Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, Alex Kendellen Conversion – Billy Burns

Lions: Try – Henco van Wyk Conversion – Kade Wolhuter Penalty –Kade Wolhuter

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg