Le Roux unscathed after Sharks scrappy win

Despite the Highlanders being reduced to 14 men for much of the game, the Sharks were made to work hard for what really was a vital win in the greater scheme of their tournament hopes.

The hosts’ inside centre Jason Emery was given a red card after a dangerous challenge on Sharks fullback Willie le Roux. Although the incident wasn’t malicious, Le Roux could have been seriously injured and referee Ben O’Keefe had no choice but to send Emery off for the remainder of the match.

Check out the video of the collision below.

Flyhalf Garth April scored all of the Sharks points this morning via his boot, while the Highlanders managed to score the only try of the match.

Highlanders winger Matt Fades scored in the corner in the 59th minute to put his side in front. However, they couldn’t defend their slender two point lead and a late April penalty secured victory at the death.

There was a high rate of attrition in Dunedin as the Sharks were forced to replace scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and eighthman Philip van der Walt in the first half. Reinach looked to have tweaked his knee, while Van der Walt hurt his shoulder making a tackle.

The eighthman’s injury made way for Jean Deysel, who made his first appearance of the Super Rugby season. The experienced Sharks flank did not disappoint – bumping off a number of Highlanders players on attack while putting in some massive hits on defence.

Chiliboy Ralepelle also ran on for his first taste of rugby action in more than two years. Despite his lengthy doping ban, the hooker hit his lineout jumpers and moved well around the park.

Despite the result, the Sharks will need to look seriously hard at their performance. The Durban outfit conceded 12 penalties, two of them leading to yellow cards, which put the visitors on the back foot for much of the game.

If it was not for their almost impregnable defence, the Sharks could have conceded a number of tries as the Highlanders put enormous pressure on attack. Once again, their defensive effort was their best asset and it saw them close out the game for victory.

The victory leaves the Sharks in fourth place on the South African log. The Stormers, Lions and Bulls, who top the table in that order, are all in action this weekend and will jostle for the top spot in the group standings.

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