Crusaders win Durban thriller

Cape Town - The Crusaders came away with a well-deserved victory over the Sharks in their Super Rugby clash in Durban on Saturday.

As it happened: Sharks v Crusaders

The Crusaders dominated territory and possession for large parts of the match - and overcame a series of contentious decisions by referee Jaco Peyper - to emerge 19-14 victors.

The teams were tied at 7-7 at half-time.

The Crusaders scored three tries through fullback David Havili, wing  Nemani Nadolo and No 8 Kieren Read. Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, who had a horror night with the boot, landed a conversion, as did Nadolo.

The Sharks replied with a brace of tries by wing Lwazi Mvovo - both against the run of play - and two conversions by flyhalf Joe Pietersen.

The Crusaders picked up four points for their win, while the Sharks picked up a single point for losing by seven or fewer points.

In next weekend's Round 6 action, the Crusaders travel to Johannesburg to play the Lions (Friday, April 1 at 19:00), while the Sharks have a bye.

Teams:

Sharks

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Garth April, 23 Odwa Ndungane

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Tim Boys, 22 Mitchell Drummond, 23 Ben Volavola