Fassi on fire as Sharks sink Scarlets in the Tank

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All-action Aphelele Fassi rescued the misfiring Sharks as the Durbanites beat Scarlets at Kings Park on Friday to stay on course for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs.  

Second-half tries from Fassi, Marius Louw and Curwin Bosch, who also contributed with 13 points on goal, plus a penalty try earned Siya Kolisi his first win as Sharks captain in a 37-20 triumph in Durban.

Victory made it three on the trot for Sean Everitt’s men and kept them well positioned in the race for one of eight URC playoff berths.

Sam Costelow booted the Scarlets into an early 6-0 lead on the night, before Bosch restored parity two minutes before the half-time hooter. But seven minutes after the restart, Aaron Shingler finished off a well-worked move for the visitors from the back of the lineout, with Costelow adding the extras.

However, Bosch quickly levelled matters once more after a bit of magic by Jaden Hendrikse set up Fassi, who chased down a sneaky grubber kick and raced clear to score under the posts. Bosch then completed a seven-pointer of his own after he ran forward and dove on a charged down clearance by the Scarlets.

Fassi and Werner Kok, a late replacement for Sbu Nkosi on the right wing, did well to trouble the defense with several industrious runs throughout the first half, but it was the former’s early work on defense which proved most pivotal. After a turnover by the visitors in the sixth minute, Costelow bunted the ball forward only for Fassi to cut him off, before making a contentious grounding over the goal line.

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Devin Hermanus