The log-leading Griquas outclassed the Sharks XV 55-21 in a Currie Cup match in Kimberley on Friday night, strengthening their bid to defend their title.
Griquas are some team, and it is hard to bet against them being crowned kings of the domestic competition once again.
For the Durbanites, it was an unfortunate end to a week in which the senior Sharks side was thrashed 54-0 by the All Blacks on Tuesday night.
More than 100 points conceded in two matches in the space of five days makes for sobering reading, although the opposition was formidable: first, a New Zealand combination likely to feature against the Springboks in the opening Test on August 22, and then a settled, confident Griquas side taking on the Sharks’ young guns.
What made Friday’s match particularly extraordinary was the first-half scoring.
The home side tore out of the blocks and were 19-0 ahead by the end of the opening quarter. But the Sharks fought back tenaciously and, a minute before half-time, had surged into a 21-19 lead.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as Griquas scored with the final move of the half to regain the lead and go into the change rooms 26-21 ahead.
Griquas started the second half as they had the first, with flying winger Dylan Maart crossing for his second try to stretch the lead to 31-21.
With 15 minutes remaining, Tiaan Lange scored, and it was interesting to note that the conversion was nailed by a certain Liam Koen, who had come on at flyhalf for George Whitehead. Koen is the son of former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen.
Two minutes later, Koen was unable to convert hooker Lange’s second try, but at 43-21 Griquas were over the hills and far away. The Sharks’ pack was beginning to fade and they conceded a succession of penalties — 10 in the final 30 minutes.
Lange completed his hat-trick to make it 48-21, and the match had become a rout.
The final blow came when Maart completed his hat-trick, with Koen adding the conversion to seal a comprehensive 55-21 victory.
Point-scorers
Griquas: Tries — Janus Venter, penalty try, Dylan Maart (3), Bobby Alexander, Tiaan Lange (3). Conversions — George Whitehead (2), Liam Koen (2).
Sharks XV: Tries — Tino Mavesere, Tim Swiel, Johan Momsen. Conversions — Luan Giliomee, Tim Swiel (2).
