Smith breaks Pumas’ hearts with late try

– The Sharks scored two late tries to clinch a comeback 27-25 win over the Pumas in Nelspruit last night.

The visitors came away with all five points after a 76th-minute try by Rhyno Smith.

The Sharks extended their advantage at the top of the Currie Cup standings to nine points.

The Pumas made a fine start, with winger Ruwellyn Isbell going over in the fourth minute, while Kobus Marais slotted a penalty soon afterwards.

However, the Sharks then responded with a penalty of their own by Curwin Bosch.

The mercurial Bosch then set up a try for winger S’bu Nkosi in the 22nd minute to draw the scores level.

The Sharks began to apply plenty of pressure, with Jeremy Ward crossing in the 29th minute.

That sent the Sharks into a 15-8 lead, but then hooker Akker van der Merwe and then Tyler Paul were sent to the sin bin for cynical offences just before the break.

The Pumas fought back, with winger JP Lewis diving over in the 46th minute. The conversion drew the scores level at 15-15.

Just before the Sharks were restored to their full complement of players, the Pumas once again punished them as Hennie Skorbinski went over to score, while Marais then converted a penalty to suddenly send the hosts into a 10-point lead.

The Sharks refused to give up, though and replacement Wian Vosloo went over to score from a driving maul in the 68th minute.

Then came the defining moment late on when Smith went over for the match-winning try. – ANA