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Siya Kolisi scored two tries as the Sharks secured a victory over the Exeter Chiefs in a match marred by the home team’s disciplinary issues at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Springbok captain was awarded the Man of the Match accolade as the Sharks triumphed with a score of 39-21, largely thanks to a dominant first-half performance.
Eben Etzebeth, a record-holding Springbok, was one of the players sin-binned, spending 10 minutes off the field before being substituted by Bongi Mbonambi.
In the early moments of the game, the Sharks were forced into two substitutions, with loose forward James Venter leaving in the 11th minute due to a shoulder injury, paving the way for Dylan Richardson.
Despite being a player short, the Chiefs started positively, with Dan Frost scoring in the 13th minute. Following Greg Fisilau’s yellow card, the Chiefs found themselves at a numerical disadvantage but still managed to take the lead.
Pepsi Buthelezi, who replaced Vincent Tshutuka after just five minutes, equalized for the Sharks in the 21st minute after a well-orchestrated play from their 22, finished off by Jordan Hendriske.
Shortly after, the Sharks scored their second try when Aphelele Fassi set up Makazole Mapimpi in the 24th minute, a conversion successfully executed by Hendriske. Buthelezi then made a powerful run from his own half, allowing Ethan Hooker to assist Fassi for the third try.
Siya Kolisi then made his mark by breaking through his defender to score the Sharks’ fourth try, which Hendriske converted successfully.
The Chiefs’ lack of discipline reared its head again, with Will Rigg receiving a yellow card, marking their second of the match. Frost managed to add his second try just before halftime, leaving the score at 26-14 in favor of the Sharks.
An early penalty against Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for not rolling away gave Hendriske the opportunity to extend the Sharks’ lead to 29-14 shortly after the second half began. Kolisi followed up with his second try in the 57th minute.
However, the Sharks struggled with discipline as both Etzebeth and Emile van Heerden received yellow cards, leaving them with just 13 players on the pitch. The Chiefs capitalized on this, with Feyi-Waboso scoring their third try.
Hendriske then added another penalty, bringing the score to 39-21.
Eduan Keyter also saw a yellow card for the Sharks, worsening their disciplinary troubles. While the Sharks claimed the victory, their multiple yellow cards and issues with discipline raised significant concerns. They were fortunate to emerge victorious, despite the numerical disadvantage they faced for much of the match.
