McLeod leads Sharks XV to win

Empangeni - South Section log-leaders Sharks XV defeated Western Province 23-16 in a Vodacom Cup match in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday.

The Sharks led 16-9 at the break. The home side were fired by an inspirational display from their captain and scrumhalf Charl Mcleod who scored the match winning try in the second half.

Substitute Guy Cronje added the conversion but it was enough to deny WP a chance to claim a bonus point for losing the match by seven or less points.

This victory allowed the Sharks to retain their unbeaten record after four matches and now head the South Section log with 17 points. The result also marked Western Province's first defeat after three outings and will retain their mid-table position with 10 points.

Scorers:

Sharks XV: Tries: Nick Claasen and Charl McLeod. Conversions: Len Olivier and Guy Cronje. Penalties: Len Olivier (3)

Western Province: Try: Pieter Louw. Conversion: Coenie van Wyk. Penalties: Joe Pietersen (2). Drop goal: Pietersen.

Teams

Sharks XV: Chris Jordaan; Carl Bezuidenhout, Ian Adendorff, Andrew Borgen, Lwazi Mvovo; Len Olivier, Charl McLeod (captain); Warren Whiteley, Michael Rhodes, Nick Claasen, Nolan Clarke, Jandre Marais, Wiehahn Herbst, Craig Burden and Barra Mthethwa.

Replacements: Frik Venter, Sabelo Nhlapo, Lusaseni Luvuyiso, Nqebeku Zulu, Neil de Bruin, Guy Cronje and Danie Dames.

Western Province: Hayden Groepes; Wylie Human, PJ Vermeulen, Paul Bosch, Terry Jacobs; Joe Pietersen, Conrad Hoffmann; Jody Burch, Pieter Louw, Pieter Myburgh, George Earle, Martin Muller, Andre Schlechter, Hanyani Shimange (captain) and Michael De Neuilly-Rice.

Replacements: Pieter Wium, Eric Coetzee, De Kock Steenkamp, Yaya Hartzenberg, Charlie King, Coenie van Wyk and Juan de Jong.