The Sharks beat the Jaguares 33-19 with a commanding Super Rugby performance at a sunny Kings Park, Durban.
The Sharks ran the Jaguares ragged, notching up four tries to three, with another commanding display of free-flowing attacking rugby in a game they dominated from start to finish.
The victory puts the Sharks top of the South African Conference and top of the overall Super Rugby standings ahead of the Chiefs after Round 6.
The Jaguares, who had won three of the four previous clashes between the sides, was no match for the South Africans.
A late flourish when the game was over – and the Sharks down to 14 men after Aphelele Fassi’s 71st – minute yellow card – could not gloss over the poor performance by the Argentinians.
They were abject, and not even their late score can hide this dismal display.
Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, and Andre Esterhuizen and Kerron van Vuuran scored for the Sharks.
Bosch kicked three penalties and two conversions to keep his side ahead of the game.
Santiago Carreras, Joaquin Tuculet and Sebastian Cancelliere crossed for the Jaguares.
The Sharks took a commanding 22-12 first-half lead into the shed after a sublime attacking display
The South Africans scored three first-half tries (and one rightly chalked off for a knock-on) through Andrews, Notshe, and Esterhuizen.
Super Rugby Video Highlights: Sharks versus Jaguares, Kings Park, Durban
Sean Everitt’s side could have had a more significant advantage had Makazole Mapimpi’s try been awarded.
Bosch missed a couple of kicks at goal too, which did not help.
Carreras and Tuculet, just before the break, both crossed to keep their team in touching distance.
Bosch increased the home team’s lead with two penalties after the restart.
Van Vuuren flopped over the whitewash from a powerful driving maul on 52 minutes to put the game to bed.
The Jaguares never threatened the home team’s try-line or the scoreboard.
It was only until late in the game when they had the extra man advantage, and their hosts had already put their slippers on.
The scoreline could have been worse for Gonzalo Quesada charges, but the hosts fluffed a few decent opportunities to bring up the forty-burger.
Sbu Nkosi went close in the 71st-minute; however, the winger was held-up.
Tuculet thought he had a double, but his score got chalked off by TMO review for a forward pass in the build-up.
The Jaguares had a four on one, yet they butchered the try with some sloppy play.
Late Fassi yellow card cost Sharks bonus-point
Fassi, shown a yellow for foul play on Bertranou, cost the men in black a bonus-point.
Cancelliere did, however, score after a sustained attack inside the Sharks’ 22, moments later.
His try chalked off the South African’s bonus-point and set-up a nervy ending.
The Argentinians went in search of a losing bonus-point of their own. The Durbanites, however, repelled every attack.
They could not, though, claim the losing bonus-point.
Some excellent defending by Nkosi, holding up replacement hooker Santiago Socino, saved the day for his side.
The Sharks march on, while the Jaguares will live to fight another day, as they travel back home.
Final Score: Sharks 33 (22) Jaguares 19 (12)
Scorers
Sharks
Tries – Andrews, Notshe, Esterhuizen, Van Vuuren
Pen – Bosch (3)
Con – Bosch (2)
Drop –
Cards – Fassi (Yellow, 73′)
Jaguares
Tries – Carreras, Tuculet, Cancelliere
Pen –
Con – Diaz Bonilla, Miotti
Drop –
Cards – Bertranou (Yellow, 61′)
Match Officials
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2: Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans
Teams
Sharks
Head Coach: Sean Everitt
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Madosh Tambwe.
Jaguares
Head Coach: Gonzalo Quesada
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Carreras, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente (captain), 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomas Lezana, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Sebastian Cancelliere, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Santiago Chocobares.
