Lambie’s boot sinks Jaguares

The Sharks would have been in a spot of trouble if it weren’t for Lambie’s boot, as the Jaguares scored three tries to the Sharks’ one. Dan du Preez got over the whitewash for the visitors, while Lambie slotted a conversion and six penalties.

Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold had predicted a close encounter during the week and he couldn’t have been more correct. Fresh off a bye, the Jaguares were raring to go and took the Sharks down to the wire.

The hosts were extremely physical and fought to the very end – which resulted in a try with less than ten minutes to go that levelled the scored 22-all.

But the Sharks showed how much they’ve improved at the set piece, winning a crucial, kickable penalty with less than a minute to play. Lambie made no mistake in sinking the match-winner, keeping his side in contention for a playoff spot later this year.

The physical nature of the clash was always going to have a high rate of attrition and unluckily the Sharks were dealt another injury blow. Jean Deysel, who was in the starting XV for the first time this season, had to be stretchered off the field after landing badly on his neck.

His injury made way for the return of Tera Mtembu - who played well after so long on the sidelines.

There’s been no word from the Sharks camp on Deysel's condition and the precautionary measures taken on the field may have made matters look worse than they were but one would expect him to sit out for a couple of weeks.

The trip west won’t have been too taxing on the Sharks but the real challenge will be overcoming jet-lag on the return home. Luckily the Sharks have a fairly straight-forward clash with Kings coming up. Home-comforts will also help the Durbanites recover from what has been the toughest travel schedule many of the players will have faced in their careers.

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