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Forgotten Bok star shines as Sharks tame the Lions

By PA
Curwin Bosch has developed nicely for the Sharks and was one of their shining lights this season. (Getty Images)

The Sharks took charge in the second half to register a 29-7 victory over the Lions in their all-South African United Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg.

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The story of a first half that finished 7-7 was the Lions’ inability to capitalise on their dominance of territory and possession with fly-half Gianni Lombard missing three routine shots at goal.

They at least hit back, after a classy individual score by the outstanding Curwin Bosch, when captain Marius Louw finished under the posts but the visitors from Durban took control after the interval.

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Helped by their superior kicking game and turnover success, they ground down the South African Shield’s bottom-placed side, who lacked the firepower needed to finish their try-scoring opportunities.

Wing Thaakir Abrahams and substitute hooker Fez Mbatha added further tries with the Sharks’ maul emerging as a particularly effective weapon.

Scrum-half Grant Williams secured the bonus point in the 74th minute, showing his pace to touch down Bosch’s grubber.

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R
RedWarriors 38 minutes ago
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

I actually think Ulster are showing a few green shoots this year. The fact that they ahve the second biggest Provincial population of 2.3 million is misleading. Half the population are unlikely to play due to background. The other half have seen a fall off in private school attendance preferring to school in GB esp Scotland and lost to the system. That will reverse in time.

The solution to the thorny issue of participation based on political background can be solved by breaking Rugby as a truly mainstream sport in the rest of Ireland and thus a sport for all no matter what background.

The QF defeat to NZ in 2023 was a devastating blow to that potential but the IRFU must truly put a lot of resources into this via coaching in ‘regular’ schools and pathways though AIL league etc.

The URC standings of Irish provinces needs a little mitigation. Each club in URC plays their home clubs twice. As Leinster have decided the best strategy to win the URC and challenge in Champions Cup is to decisively have the league phase in the bag so resources can be spared later and home matches in all KOs assured. That means Munster, Ulster and Connaught will score a combined total of zero points against Leinster. Compare that to Welsh teams who will score a combined total of 30 points against Dragons.

There is no weak Irish team so no easy points on offer. The standard has dipped a little but Connaught are good as their European campaign shows and all three will improve next year including Ulster.

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