Lions fullback Gilermo Mentoe scored an 83rd-minute try to snatch a dramatic draw against the Sharks XV at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
Flyhalf Sam Francis had a chance to win it, but his conversion went wide, leaving neither side happy with the result.
The Sharks picked up three log points after outscoring their opponents by four tries to three, but remain seventh on the standings, two points behind the sixth-placed Lions.
The Sharks host the winless Bulls XV in next weekend’s final round, with the Lions welcoming the Stormers XXIII to Ellis Park.
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The hosts suffered an early setback when Khuthi Rasivhaga was yellow-carded for taking the man out in the air but conceded just three points, a Sam Francis penalty goal kicked as the winger ran back on 10 minutes later.
The Sharks hit back on the half-hour mark when scrumhalf and captain Ross Braude darted over from the back of a ruck.
But it was the Lions who took a 10-5 lead into the break thanks to a converted pick-and-go try from replacement No 8 Vuyo Gwiji.
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The Sharks made a strong start to the second half, with Junior Boks hooker Liam van Wyk breaking away from a lineout maul to score. Flyhalf Tim Swiel’s conversion edged them back in front.
Soon after Junior Boks centre Ethan Adams had come off the bench to make his senior Lions debut, Sharks winger Christie Grobbelaar rounded off a superb attack in the right corner.
Lions hooker Armand Combrinck then went over from a lineout maul and Francis’ conversion made it 17-17.
With 12 minutes remaining, Mentoe counter-attacked from inside his half before finding winger Latica Nela, who knocked on over the tryline while being tackled by Sharks centre Lyle Matthews.
Adams, who had impressed on both attack and defence since coming on, then burst through the defence only to lose the ball in the tackle after losing a boot.
The Sharks surged back on to the attack and flank Meno Barnard scored the bonus-point try.
But with the clock deep in the red, Adams handed off a defender and sent Mentoe away to level the scores.
SHARKS XV – Tries: Ross Braude, Liam van Wyk, Christie Grobbelaar, Meno Barnard. Conversion: Tim Swiel.
LIONS – Tries: Vuyo Gwiji, Armand Combrinck, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalty: Francis.
Photo: LionsRugbyCo/X
The post Sharks, Lions suffer damaging draw appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lions fullback Gilermo Mentoe scored an 83rd-minute try to snatch a dramatic draw against the Sharks XV at Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
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