Cape Town - The Sharks ended their Australasian tour on a winning note when they beat the Blues at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Friday.
As it happened: Blues v Sharks
The Sharks won 29-23 after leading 16-6 at half-time.
The Sharks scored two tries through skipper Bismarck du Plessis and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, while flyhalf Frans Steyn added both conversions as well as three penalties. Fullback SP Marais also landed a penalty.
The Blues repleid with tries by flank Luke Braid and wing Tevita Li. Flyhalf Simon Hickey added a conversion and two penalties, while replacement No 10 Ihaia West was successful with a conversion and a penalty.
The Sharks picked up four points for their victory and extended their lead atop the South African Conference and the Overall standings.
The Blues left North Harbour with a single point for losing by seven or fewer points, but stayed bottom of the New Zealand Conference and 10th in the Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 16 action, the Sharks host the Stormers in Durban (Saturday, May 31 at 19:10), while the Blues welcome the Hurricanes to Eden Park (Saturday, May 31 at 09:35).
Teams:
Blues
15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Pita Ahki, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Luke Braid (captain), 6 Peter Saili, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes:16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Steven Luatua, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Albert Nikoro
Sharks
15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams
As it happened: Blues v Sharks
The Sharks won 29-23 after leading 16-6 at half-time.
The Sharks scored two tries through skipper Bismarck du Plessis and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, while flyhalf Frans Steyn added both conversions as well as three penalties. Fullback SP Marais also landed a penalty.
The Blues repleid with tries by flank Luke Braid and wing Tevita Li. Flyhalf Simon Hickey added a conversion and two penalties, while replacement No 10 Ihaia West was successful with a conversion and a penalty.
The Sharks picked up four points for their victory and extended their lead atop the South African Conference and the Overall standings.
The Blues left North Harbour with a single point for losing by seven or fewer points, but stayed bottom of the New Zealand Conference and 10th in the Overall log.
In next weekend's Round 16 action, the Sharks host the Stormers in Durban (Saturday, May 31 at 19:10), while the Blues welcome the Hurricanes to Eden Park (Saturday, May 31 at 09:35).
Teams:
Blues
15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Pita Ahki, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Luke Braid (captain), 6 Peter Saili, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes:16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Steven Luatua, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Albert Nikoro
Sharks
15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams