The Hollywoodbets Sharks got off the mark for the first time this season in United Rugby Championship as they defeated the Dragons 69 – 14.
Welcoming back several of their star Springbok World Cup players, the Sharks were an outfit transformed from the one who had bumbled to five straight losses to start the season.
To the fore were names such as Etzebeth, Hendrikse, Am, Williams and Mapimpi.
In fact all five players would score tries throughout the match in a stark reminder to their URC opponents that despite the shoddy start to the season, the Sharks are far from dead this season.
Now set for an extended run in South Africa having got their first European tour out of the way, the Sharks will take some beating.
Scoring some world class tries, the Sharks stars dug deep into their back of tricks.
One particular score which was set up by Hendrikse was particularly tasty.
The Sharks’ strategic brilliance began with a close-range line-out. From the moment the ball left the thrower’s hands, a well-coordinated maul was set into motion, showcasing the cohesion and strength of the Sharks’ forward pack.
As the maul surged forward, it was hooker Fez Mbatha who made a decisive half-break, creating a moment of uncertainty in the Dragons’ defensive line.
Mbatha’s quick thinking and explosive burst opened up an opportunity, and in a split second. He delivered a perfectly timed offload to the awaiting hands of Hendrikse.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Hendrikse, known for his exceptional vision and playmaking ability, pulled off an out-of-this-world offload.
The ball seemed to defy physics as it found its way with pinpoint accuracy to winger Werner Kok, who seized the opportunity and gracefully walked over the try line for an easy score.
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