Sharks come out firing for bonus-point victory

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The Sharks overcame an error-prone first half before powering to a bonus-point win over Zebre at Kings Park on Saturday night.

With a narrow 10-6 lead at half time, the hosts came out firing after the break as Bongi Mbonambi muscled over the whitewash following a strong driving maul, Curwin Bosch making no mistake with his conversion.

The Sharks soon celebrated what they thought was a well-worked try for Grant Williams, but his effort was ruled out after a TMO review. Zebre were then down to 14 men after Potu Leavasa was sent to the bin for multiple infringements, and the hosts made hay as Ntuthuko Mchunu scored from the back of a ruck.

Williams finally got his name on the scoresheet for the Sharks’ bonus-point try, before Bosch went over from a quick tap-and-go as they closed out a 38-6 win – a second in two weeks – in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Henco Venter forced his way through a pile of bodies for the Sharks’ first try of the match, with Bosch adding the extras. The hosts had another five-pointer disallowed by the upstairs official, before Bosch extended their lead by three from the kicking tee.

The visitors did well to quell several attacking forays from the Sharks, yet the home side were let down by poor handling and missed passes.

Antonio Rizzi then nailed his first attempt at goal to open the scoring for Zebre, and he slotted another penalty just after the hooter to make it a four-point game at the intermission.

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Devin Hermanus