Live Match Centre – Sharks v Sunwolves

SHA

SUN

Key Events

FT
ConversionRyoto Nakamura
78'
TRY!Will Tupou
77'
ConversionCurwin Bosch
75'
TRY!Cameron Wright
74'
ConversionRobert du Preez
68'
TRY!Sibusiso Nkosi
67'
ConversionKotaro Matsushima
60'
TRY!Wimpie van der Walt
58'
ConversionRobert du Preez
55'
TRY!Jacques Vermeulen
54'
TRY!Makazole Mapimpi
48'
TRY!Lomano Lemeki
44'
HT
ConversionRobert du Preez
36'
TRY!Lubabalo Mtembu
35'
ConversionRobert du Preez
29'
TRY!Armand van der Merwe
28'
Penalty GoalHarumichi Tatekawa
24'
ConversionRobert du Preez
9'
TRY!Makazole Mapimpi
8'
Penalty GoalRobert du Preez
1'
KO

Stats

Match Stats

Player Stats

493

489

Metres

Carries

Defenders beaten

Clean breaks

130

176

Passes

Offloads

Turnovers conceded

Turnovers won

146

106

Tackles

Missed tackles

	Sharks	T	C	P
15	Curwin Bosch	0	1	0
14	Sibusiso Nkosi	1	0	0
13	Lukhanyo Am	0	0	0
12	Andre Esterhuizen	0	0	0
11	Makazole Mapimpi	2	0	0
10	Robert du Preez	0	5	1
9	Louis Schreuder	0	0	0
1	Tendai Mtawarira	0	0	0
2	Armand van der Merwe	1	0	0
3	John-Hubert Meyer	0	0	0
4	Ruan Botha	0	0	0
5	Stephan Lewies	0	0	0
6	Wian Vosloo	0	0	0
7	Jacques Vermeulen	1	0	0
8	Lubabalo Mtembu	1	0	0

	SUBSTITUTES	T	C	P
16	Chiliboy Ralepelle	0	0	0
17	Juan Schoeman	0	0	0
18	Ross Geldenhuys	0	0	0
19	Gideon Koegelenberg	0	0	0
20	Keegan Daniel	0	0	0
21	Cameron Wright	1	0	0
22	Marius Louw	0	0	0
23	Lwazi Mvovo	0	0	0

	Sunwolves	T	C	P
15	Kotaro Matsushima	0	1	0
14	Lomano Lemeki	1	0	0
13	Sione Teaupa	0	0	0
12	Michael Little	0	0	0
11	Will Tupou	1	0	0
10	Harumichi Tatekawa	0	0	1
9	Keisuke Uchida	0	0	0
1	Craig Millar	0	0	0
2	Yusuke Niwai	0	0	0
3	Takuma Asahara	0	0	0
4	Kazuki Himeno	0	0	0
5	Grant Hattingh	0	0	0
6	Michael Leitch	0	0	0
7	Yoshitaka Tokunaga	0	0	0
8	Willie Britz	0	0	0

	SUBSTITUTES	T	C	P
16	Atsushi Sakate	0	0	0
17	Shintaro Ishihara	0	0	0
18	Hencus van Wyk	0	0	0
19	Wimpie van der Walt	1	0	0
20	Ed Quirk	0	0	0
21	Yutaka Nagare	0	0	0
22	Ryoto Nakamura	0	1	0
23	Robbie Robinson	0	0	0

Full match stats

Standings

Super Rugby

RANK		TEAM	RPI	TOTAL
9		Sharks	52	36
15		Sunwolves	28	14

Full table

Live Blog

Match Feed

Live is not available for this game.

FULL TIME - Final whistle in Durban! The Sharks have recorded their first victory of the season with a bonus point 50-22 victory over the Sunwolves. The Sunwolves showed plenty and managed to score 3 tries however, in the end, they were simply overpowered by the Sharks who ran in 7 tries for the match.

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A consolation try for the Sunwolves! A terrific burst from Lomano Lemeki draws in the defence before the left-winger hands off to his wing partner William Tupou who manages to get the ball down for the Sunwolves' third try.

80'''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sunwolves (Ryoto Nakamura) 50-22 Sharks

80''
Try

TRY! Sunwolves (William Tupou) 50-20 Sharks

80''
Icing on the cake for the Sharks! The ball spurts from the scrum putting the pressure on Yutaka Nagare who loses a handle on the ball letting in his direct opponent Cameron Wright and the replacement scrum half touches down.

78''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Curwin Bosch) 50-15 Sharks

77''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Cameron Wright) 48-15 Sharks

76''
Makazole Mapimpi steps through the defence with a hat-trick on his mind however the winger has been closed down well by Kotaro Matsushima.

74''
The Sharks kick deep inside Sunwolves' territory and the chase is on - Lomano Lemeki wins the race just ahead of Lwazi Mvovo but the Sunwolves' winger has little option but to run the ball into touch and concede the lineout throw.

71''
The Sharks are in again! Curwin Bosch cleverly chips ahead into open space with just the try line ahead but he gets an unkind bounce - fortunately for the home side, Sbu Nkosi was following up and the winger gathers the crumbs before diving over to score a spectacular five-pointer.

70''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 43-15 Sharks

69''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Sbu Nkosi) 41-15 Sharks

68''
Terrific counter-attacking rugby from both sides with the ball zipping from one end of the field to the other.

67''
A wonderful box kick from Cameron Wright takes the hand of Lomano Lemeki before rolling over the touch line - the Sharks have turned defence into attack and have the line out deep in Sunwolves' territory.

65''
The Sunwolves hit back with a quick reply! Wimpie van der Valt has plenty of work to do but, with the assistance of Willie Britz, he bulldozes a path through the defence and touches down to score.

62''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sunwolves (Kotaro Matsushima) 36-15 Sharks

61''
Try

TRY! Sunwolves (Wimpie van der Valt) 36-13 Sharks

60''
Try number 5 for the Sharks! Jacques Vermeulen spots a gap in the defensive line and motors past his immediate marker to open up the try line before crossing to score.

58''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 36-8 Sharks

56''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Jacques Vermeulen) 34-8 Sharks

56''
Curwin Bosch kicks in behind the Sunwolves' defence and into open space however Kotaro Matsushima wins the race back and escorts the ball inside the in-goal area befotre touching down for the restart.

53''
The Sharks are back in bonus point territory! The Sharks have all the numbers out to the left and it is Makazole Mapimpi, with some fancy footwork, who steps past the last defender on his way to scoring his second try of the match.

52''
MISS! Robert du Preez has pushed his conversion attempt out to the right hand side.

51''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Makazole Mapimpi) 29-8 Sharks

50''
No doubt on this occasion! The Sunwolves head to the right through Kotaro Matsushima - the fullback is caught in a strong tackle but manages to release a miracle pass that opens up the line for Lomano Lemeki who dives over in the corner.

47''
MISS! Harumichi Tatekawa sprays the conversion attempt well out to the right hand side.

47''
Try

TRY! Sunwolves (Lomano Lemeki) 24-8 Sharks

46''
The Sunwolves continue to enjoy the majority of possession early in this second half and the visitors have been rewarded here with a penalty.

44''
TMO - No try! The Sunwolves touch down under the posts however the TMO rules that there was obstruction on Robert du Preez and so the five pointer will not stand.

42''
It's been a promising start to the second half for the Sunwolves - the visitors have quickly advanced deep inside the Sharks' territory and are inside the 22.

41''
SECOND HALF - Lomano Lemeki kicks off for the Sunwolves and the second half is underway!

40''
HALF TIME - The whistle sounds for half time in Durban. The Sharks didn't have it all their own way in the opening 40 minutes however, as a result of their superior finishing ability, the home side were able to score three unanswered tries. The Sharks head into the break with a 24-3 lead over the Sunwolves.

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The Sunwolves continue to press however are struggling to make much headway in the face of the well organised Sharks' defence.

40'''
Inside the final minute of this first half and the Sunwolves have a chance to strike back - the visitors have a line out throw just 5m out from the Sharks' line.

39''
Bonus point try for the Sharks! Quick hands from the home side opens up the Sunwolves' defence before Lukhanyo Am lays the pass off to Tera Mtembu - the number 8, who has shaken off the knee injury he sustained earlier in the half, touches down under the posts.

37''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 24-3 Sharks

37''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Tera Mtembu) 22-3 Sharks

36''
Harumichi Tatekawa takes his eye off the ball at the critical moment and spills the pass - the scrum feed is awarded to the Sharks who have a chance to go on the front foot once again.

34''
Andre Esterhuizen makes the break down the left hand side however his pass inside to Tera Mtembu doesn't go to hand - the Sunwolves have the scrum feed just short of half way.

32''
A brilliant individual effort from Akker van der Merwe! With a tremendous mix of strength and skill, the Sharks' hooker steps out of the tackle before exploding away down the right hand touch line and diving over in the corner.

30''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 17-3 Sharks

30''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Akker van der Merwe) 15-3 Sharks

28''
The Sunwolves are on the scoreboard! Harumichi Tatekawa splits the uprights with his penalty goal attempt - an excellent reward for the visitors.

25''
Penalty Goal

PENALTY GOAL! Sunwolves (Harumichi Tatekawa) 10-3 Sharks

24''
The Sunwolves, after going close on a couple of occasions, spread the ball to the right however Lomano Lemeki is unable to gather cleanly - the penalty advantage was being played however for the visitors.

22''
It's been an excellent period of play for the Sunwolves but they really need to make it count with some points from this attacking foray.

21''
A break in play whilst the injury plagued Tera Mtembu receives treatment after the number 8 twisted his knee awkwardly - the good news is that he eventually gets to his feet and looks set to continue.

20''
Turnover to the Sharks! Excellent defence from the home side right on their own line and they are rewarded with the scrum feed.

19''
A huge opportunity here for the Sunwolves - the home side are penalised for a scrum infringement and the visitors elect to pack down again, just 5m out from the Sharks' line.

18''
The Sunwolves are on the move once again! William Tupou pins the ears back and makes a dart for the try line however he is brilliantly chased down by Curwin Bosch who makes the try-saving tackle.

16''
NO TRY - So close for the Sunwolves! Sione Teaupa almost scores after charging down the kick from Curwin Bosch however the outside centre can't gather the crumbs cleanly and he has knocked on.

12''
The Sharks score the first try of the match! After an excellent, patient build up from the Sharks, Robert du Preez sends a delightful cut out pass in the direction of the unmarked Makazole Mapimpi out to the left and the winger strolls in to score the easiest of tries.

10''
Conversion

CONVERSION! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 10-0 Sharks

9''
Try

TRY! Sharks (Makazole Mapimpi) 8-0 Sharks

8''
A penalty against the Sunwolves in the line out will give the Sharks a chance to exit their 22 with Robert du Preez to kick for touch.

6''
Some good aggressive defence from the Sunwolves who have pinned the Sharks down inside their half for the moment.

5''
The Robert du Preez penalty goal attempt is right down the middle with the Sharks taking an early lead.

3''
Penalty Goal

PENALTY GOAL! Sharks (Robert du Preez) 3-0 Sharks

3''
A terrific opening from the Sharks who have surged inside the Sunwolves' 22 - the visitors are caught offside and the home side have a chance to register the first points of the match.

1''
FIRST HALF - Robert du Preez kicks off for the Sharks to get us underway!

1''
The Sunwolves have looked a much-improved outfit in their opening two matches of the season despite not yet registering a victory. They will need to be at their very best however tonight if they are to break their travel hoodoo and upset the Sharks at home – the Japanese side has never won a match on the road.

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The Sharks will be desperate to notch up their first victory of the season this week. The men from Durban are winless from two matches after coming up just short against the in-form Lions in week 1 and then splitting the points with the visiting Waratahs in a thrilling draw last week.

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Welcome to Durban where week 4 of Super Rugby 2018 continues with the clash between the Sharks and the Sunwolves.

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