Report by David van der Merwe
The Coastal derby took place in Durban at MR Price Kings Park. WP needed a win to stay alive in the Currie Cup and the Sharks wanted it to cement a possible home semi final.


The game started out with WP looking a bit shell shocked as the Sharks attacked for the first 10 minutes. The end result a Jean Deysel try converted by Meyer Bosman. WP however showed that they can fight back and out played the Sharks out wide for the rest of the half. If Lionel Cronje had packed his kicking boots the score could have been 7-6 after 20 minutes. In the kickers defence the wind played havoc with them. WP did show patience and worked up through their forwards. Only after they had the Sharks pulled in did the ball go wide to Danie Poolman for his try. Lionel Cronje converted to make it 7 all. Both Cronje and Bosman missed a penalty each shortly before halftime.

The second half was not the prettiest rugby I have ever seen. WP took the lead for the first time in the 61st minute through a Dewald Duvenhage penalty. From there on it was a back and forth dog fight between the two teams. Freddie Michalak drew the scores level in the 71st minute. And it looked like that would be the final score. That is until Michalak tried to kick the ball down field. It was charged down and Duvenhage dribbled it towards the touchline. He dive don the ball and slide over for the winning try. The conversion was missed. The Sharks tried to win it or at least draw the game, but to no avail. The final score WP 15 - The Sharks 10.

WP showed a lot of grit and determination in this game. Taking into account the amount of injuries they have in the squad at present. They are down to their 5th fly-half of the season and has Deon Fourie, second choice hooker, covering the loose forwards from the bench.

The Sharks on the other side should made start looking to replace the old-age home they have playing in the back line. Stefan Terblanche and Marius Joubert are well pass the prime of their careers. The Sharks back line looked more like guppies or toothless sharks than the attacking force we know they can be.

The Sharks remains second on the log but can see themselves falling lower if they are not careful and put up a similar performance against the Lions in two weeks time.

WP will need to repeat this performance against the Lions next week if they want to stay alive in the Currie Cup as the Bulls, in 5th place, has two relatively easy games coming up. But as always the Currie Cup will probably surprise with two weeks to go.