Staff Reporter.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks beat Western Province 29-21 at a slippery Kings Park on Friday night to register their first win of the 2025 Currie Cup.
The Cape side started the better of the two, running in two unanswered tries through loose forward Paul de Villiers and Maties scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni. Flyhalf Kyle Smith was successful with both conversions to give WP a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
But winger Phikolomzi Sobahle soon stormed over for the home side’s first try and the twinkle-toed speedster was prominent with ball in hand, making 10 carries on the night.
Junior Bok flyer Jaco Williams dotted down on the stroke of half time, flyhalf Jean Smith reducing the deficit to two points at the break.
The Sharks took control of the second half, with forwards Lee-Marvin Mazibuko and Batho Hlekani each crossing the whitewash while Smith added a penalty eight minutes from time to deny WP a losing bonus point. Replacement back Brendan Venter scored Province’s only try in the second 40.
The result doesn’t do much in terms of the overall log, but it does now see the Sharks leapfrog WP into 7th place.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks – Tries: Philo Sobahle, Jaco Williams, Lee Mazibuko, Bathobele Hlekani; Conversions: Jean Smith (3); Penalties: Smith.
DHL Western Province – Tries: Paul de Villiers, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Brendan Venter; Conversions: Kyle Smith (2), Ronald Brown.