Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
The Sharks edged out the Scarlets 12–3 in their final United Rugby Championship league phase match, played at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday..
The win moved the Sharks into third place on the log above Glasgow Warriors, who were still playing Leinster in Dublin.
Coach John Plumtree’s team came into their last league-stage fixture of the season seeking a complete performance only to produce one of their worst.
A tight, error-ridden first half seemed destined to be scoreless before Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku’s 39th-minute penalty was followed by Scarlets No 10 Sam Costelow’s drop goal.
Masuku cried off with an injury in the third quarter and Plumtree moved Aphelele Fassi to flyhalf, with Yaw Penxe coming on at fullback. Shortly after, Fassi slotted a long-range penalty goal to regain the lead.
Fassi kicked another two penalties, in the 69th and 80th minutes, before the final whistle mercifully ended the game.
Meanwhile the Vodacom Bulls secured second spot on the URC log with a nine-try Dragons demolition at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The 55-15 victory took the Bulls nine points clear of third-placed Glasgow, who face Leinster in their last league-stage match in Dublin.
Elsewhere the Pumas will host defending champions Griquas in next weekend’s SA Cup final.
The Pumas claimed a dramatic 31-29 win over the Boland Kavaliers in the first semi-final at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night, before Griquas edged the Cheetahs 41-38 in Kimberley on Saturday.