Sharks hold on for narrow win

The Sharks XV opened their 2026 Currie Cup campaign with a hard-fought bonus-point victory against the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.

Leading 19-5 at half-time, Sharks left winger Lyle Matthews scored a hat-trick of tries in the opening 40 minutes and flyhalf Tim Swiel kicked six points as the men from Durban held on to triumph 26-24 in Nelspruit.

The Pumas drew first blood through an unconverted try from speedster Lundi Msenge, before the visitors powered in front via Matthews and two Swiel conversions.

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Hooker Kerron van Vuuren dotted down, and Swiel added the extras, to give the Sharks the perfect start to the second stanza. 

The hosts looked to claw their way back with tries from replacement hooker Chyle van Zyl, wing Tino Swanepoel and lock JJ Scheepers, along with the boot of No 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, but it was ultimately all in vain.

In round two, the Sharks will hit the road again to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next Friday. Jimmy Stonehouse’s charges, meanwhile, must regroup to face the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

PUMAS – Tries: Lundi Msenge, Chyle van Zyl, Tino Swanepoel, JJ Scheepers. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2).
SHARKS XV – Tries: Lyle Matthews (3), Kerron van Vuuren. Conversions: Tim Swiel (3).

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images