The Sharks scored five converted tries to beat the Cheetahs 35-7 in a pre-season friendly in Umlazi on Friday night.
Both sides used the match to give their extended squad a run, and not too much can be read into the result going into the new Super Rugby season. Still, the Sharks will be pleased to have come away with the win, even if it won't be remembered for long.
The Cheetahs would have fancied their chances of victory when the Sharks were reduced to 13 men midway through the first half following yellow cards to Philip van der Walt (professional foul) and Keegan Daniel (dangerous play).
A minute later, the visitors took full advantage when Nico Lee dived over to score a converted try.
The hosts did well not to concede any more points while two men down, and levelled the scores a minute before half-time when a good break by Etienne Oosthuizen resulted in a try for Coenie Oosthuizen.
The Sharks struck again early in the second half, with new signing Kobus van Wyk diving over after relentless pressure to make it 14-0.
Discipline once again let the hosts down when Ryan Botha was yellow-carded for a high tackle in the 54th minute, but this time it didn't cost them on the scoreboard.
Shortly after, coach Robert du Preez made seven changes to his side and it had the desired effect as former Junior Boks captain Jeremy Ward scored their third try.
Cobus Reinach extended the lead to 28-7 in the 69th minute when he collected a kick to score his side's fourth try, and Pat Lambie again slotted the conversion.
The Sharks then completed the rout with a fifth converted try on the full-time hooter to Jean Droste.
In the first warm-up match between the franchises, played over 60 minutes, the Sharks claimed a 14-0 win.
Sharks – Tries: Coenie Oothuizen, Kobus van Wyk, Jeremy Ward, Cobus Reinach, Jean Drooste. Conversions: Pat Lambie (4), Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
Cheetahs – Try: Nico Lee. Conversion: Niel Marais.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie (c), 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oothuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Juan Schoeman, 17 Franco Marais, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Hyron Andrews, 21 Francois Kleinhans, 22 Jacques Vermeulen, 23 Tera Mtembu, 24 Cobus Reinach, 25 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 26 Sbu Nkosi, 27 Jeremy Ward, 28 Johan Deysel, 29 S’bura Sithole, 30 Clement Poitrenaud.
Cheetahs – 15 Claytpn Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs (from): 15 Ryno Eksteen, 14 JP Smith, 13 Joubert Engelbrecht, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Ruan van Rensburg, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Dennis Visser, 2 Erich de Jager, 1 Ox Nche, 16 Zee Mkhabela, 17 Reinach Venter.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports
