Curwin Bosch (Rooster Images)
Sharks fans were hoping for a big response from their team against the Welsh Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday night following Cardiff’s dismal 35-0 home dismissal last Sunday, which saw their former manager’s back turned in boss sean everitt
But what they saw in the first half of their 25-10 win over Ospreys didn’t inspire much confidence that the desired answer, Welsh heads on a stake, was yet to come.
They had possession but they worked to create something worthwhile in attack. The Ospreys seemed happy to “park the bus” and try to frustrate the South Africans into making mistakes.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Sharks 25-10 Ospreys
Everitt’s firing had no immediate tangible change in tact. Everything the Sharks did looked difficult, except for their scrums, which were dominant.
Director of rugby Neil Powell still has a big job on his hands in trying to make the Durban team visible and consistent in their overall play, let alone getting results.
The inclusion of Springboks Jaden Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi in the starting line-up had a nominal effect on the half. He didn’t deliver the steely change of directness of last weekend, though it was enough to secure the result in the end.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who returned from injury that sidelined him for the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC), had them playing in the right areas at least and contributed with his trusty boot.
He would have felt bittersweet about the departure of Everitt, a man who trusted him so much, but under whom he also lost much of his fragile trust. But the managerial change did not seem to hinder the erstwhile Springbok fly half too much.
His two penalties gave the hosts an incremental 6-0 lead at half-time.
The visitors crossed the white line first, through Luke Morgan five minutes into the second half after a well-pinned cross from Jack Walsh.
But the Sharks got the wake-up call they needed because four minutes later, forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe stormed near the right corner.
After scoring, the Sharks relaxed their intensity again, something that could have hurt them if they allowed the Ospreys back into the competition.
That ominous laxity in intensity showed after 66 minutes when, after earning a scrum penalty, the men in white went to the corner from where number 8 Morgan Morris scored.
The Ospreys two missed conversions were the only thing keeping the Sharks ahead by one point at 11-10 heading to the death.
Bosch, however, scored the try that effectively saved the Sharks from another disappointing home performance, rounding off some fine play after some sustained pressure.
Substitute James Venter scored late on to seal the win.
scorers
Sharks – (6) 25
Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Curwin Bosch, James Venter
Conversions: Bosco
Penalties: Bosch (2)
Ospreys – (0) 10
Attempts: Luke Morgan, Morgan Morris
