South Africa’s Cell C Sharks made it five wins from six games in this year’s Super Rugby edition after defeating last year’s finalists the Jaguares of Argentina 33-19 at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Sharks outscored their opponents by four tries to two with flyhalf Curwin Bosch kicking 13 points.
Tries from Hyron Andrews and Sikumbuzo Notshe and a conversion from Bosch saw the Sharks take an early 12-0 lead. The Jaguares responded with a try of their own through Santaigo Carreras in the 18th minute to make it 12-5.
A penalty from Bosch and a converted try from Andre Esterhuizen shortly thereafter made it 22-5. However, the Jaguares hit back with a try from Joaquín Tuculet which was converted by Joaquín Díaz Bonilla as the first half ended 22-12.
Two penalties from Bosch early in the second half and a try from Kerron van Vuuren stretched the Sharks’ lead to 33-12.
The visitors would have the last say in the game after Sebastián Cancelliere crossed the whitewash and Domingo Miotti added the extras.
The Sharks top the South African Conference with 20 points, three clear of the DHL Stormers who had a bye this weekend. The Sharks also top the overall standings and are two points clear of the Chiefs of New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Vodacom Bulls secured their first win of the season after defeating the Highlanders of New Zealand 38-13 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Rosko Specman scored a hat-trick of tries as the South Africans overturned a 5-10 deficit at halftime and outscored the visitors 33-3 in the second half for a thumping win.
Jaco Visagie, Warrick Gelant and Cornal Hendricks also dotted down for the home side while Manie Libbok (3) and Morne Steyn (1) kicked their conversions. Josh Ioane’s haul of 13 points for the visitors included one converted try and two penalties.
Following the result, the Bulls moved above the Emirates Lions into fourth place in the South Africa Conference and are up to 11th in the overall standings.
