Fullback Luan Gilliomee demonstrated impressive play by scoring two touchdowns, which helped the Sharks start their season in the United Rugby Championship with a victory over Ospreys. The match took place at Kings Park and ended 41-24 in favor of the Sharks on Saturday.
Flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who directed the Sharks' attacks, also showed flawless performance with his penalty kicks. The Sharks scored five touchdowns, securing a deserved bonus-point win.
The young Sharks defensive line became active early in the Durban match, setting a very high tempo that proved too difficult for the Welsh visitors in the tense first half. The home side managed to open the scoring after 12 minutes through brilliant player interaction. Scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse delivered an accurate pass to Nick Hatton, allowing number 8 to run a long distance and score a touchdown. Moyo converted, bringing the score to 7-0.
Ten minutes later, the Sharks increased their lead by breaking through the Ospreys' defensive line. Inside centre Janco Purchase broke through the central area, after which Jurenzo Julius gave a sharp pass to Manu Tshiuka, who managed to run under the posts. Then came a moment in the match involving Gilliomee. Receiving the ball in the 27th minute, the fast winger accelerated into a break, leaving the Ospreys defenders behind, and scored a sensational solo touchdown. Moyo's third successful kick raised the lead to 21-0.
Ospreys responded in the 31st minute when a simple pass directed Luke Morgan along the sideline, and he was able to score. Lawson Creighton converted, narrowing the gap to 21-7.
However, the Sharks responded almost immediately. Litelihle Bester scored a touchdown in the 37th minute after Gilliomee appeared to be tackled before reaching the line. The visitors managed to maintain contact by the end of the first half: a well-organized rolling maul, supported by players from the backline, allowed hooker Sam Parry to score, and the teams went to halftime with the score at 28-14.
Second Half Developments
Ospreys scored first after the restart when Liam Wright used a smart short angle to get past the defenders without contact in the 44th minute, although Creighton failed to convert. Realizing the change in momentum, Moyo continued to support the Sharks' scoreline, converting penalties in the 53rd and 56th minutes, extending the home team's lead to 34-19.
Gilliomee ultimately decided the outcome of the match in the 67th minute. After a classic sequence of passes and runs across the field, the ball moved to Gilliomee, who showed great composure to score his second touchdown in the corner. Substitute Siya Masuku made an accurate kick from the sideline, bringing the score to 41-19. Kieran Hardy had an immediate impact on the Ospreys bench in the 71st minute, making a sharp break and passing to Lestyn Hopkins, who dived under the crossbar, but this was only a consolation goal, as the Sharks confidently secured a convincing victory in the debut match of the season.
Attackers
Sharks: Touchdowns scored by Nick Hatton, Manu Tshituka, Luan Gilliomee (2), Litelihle Bester. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4), Masuku. Penalties: Moyo (2).
Ospreys: Touchdowns scored by Luke Morgan, Sam Parry, Liam Wright, Iestyn Hopkins. Conversions: Lawson Creighton (2).
