Sharks breach Fortress Loftus to embarrass Bulls

The Blue Bulls' Currie Cup aspirations hang by a thread after slumping to a rare home loss against an inspired Sharks at Loftus yesterday.

Bulls (15) 27Sharks (23) 39

It was their fourth loss of the season and with a starting side containing nine Springboks, including five in a well-beaten pack, there is reason for mild panic at Loftus.

The Sharks were impressive in the scrums, they won their own lineout ball and dominated the breakdown, which made it almost impossible for the Bulls backs to make an impression.

French flyhalf Frederic Michalak contributed 15 points from three penalties and three conversions, while Bok wing Bjorn Basson scored two tries for the home team.

Although the Bulls had an equal share of possession and the better of the territorial battle, the Sharks defence was impressive, although their line was breached four times, twice in the last minute when the game was over.

Sharks No8 Jean Deysel had a massive game, while replacement scrumhalf Conrad Hoffman brought an educated boot to proceedings.

Despite having to absorb early pressure, the Sharks' rigid respect for the laws at the breakdown, without sacrificing their ability to contest the ball, led to the Bulls unravelling in that area of the game.

Referee Mark Lawrence repeatedly penalised the Bulls and Sharks centre Meyer Bosman made it count early on with three long-range penalties. Wing Sibusiso Sithole scored a well-worked converted try and suddenly it was 16-0.

The Bulls were on the ropes and so desperate were they that skipper Gary Botha spurned an easy penalty kick at goal. His decision was vindicated when flank Warwick Tecklenberg crashed over for a try to narrow the alarming deficit.

Basson scored his first two minutes later, the result of a sweeping move that began inside his own 20m area and the Bulls were back in the game.

Hope was short-lived though, as Sharks hooker Craig Burden bulldozed through a gaping midfield hole to take them into the break eight points to the good.

Michalak's boot repeatedly punished the Bulls' sloppy discipline and wing Lwazi Mvovo snaffled a loose ball and raced 50m for a try that put the result beyond doubt nine minutes from the end.

SCORERS

Bulls 27 - Tries: Warwick Tecklenburg, Bjorn Basson (2), CJ Stander Conversions: Louis Fouche (2) Penalty: Fouche.

Sharks 39 - Tries: Sibusiso Sithole, Craig Burden, Lwazi Mvovo Conversions: Frederic Michalak (2), Bosman (1) Penalties: Meyer Bosman (3), Michalak (3).