The Bulls and Sharks performed out to a rare 40-all attract extra-time, however the Durban-based facet superior to the Currie Cup ultimate after scoring extra tries.
With the groups deadlocked at 33-all after the common 80 minutes, the sport went into extra-time to find out the winner. However even after 100 minutes of motion (two 10-minute halves of extra-time), either side had solely mustered up a transformed tries every, leaving them degree at 40-40.
The Bulls drew first blood within the first half of extra-time when Stravino Jacobs lastly breached the Sharks’ cussed defence. However it was veteran Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane who would have the ultimate say when he bought a dummy go earlier than gliding over for the match-winning strive.
And since the Sharks had outscored the Bulls by six tries to 5 total, they undergo to the Currie Cup ultimate; whereas Jake White and Phiwe Nomlomo troops are left questioning what if?
What if they’d taken higher benefit when the Sharks had been all the way down to 14, then 13 after which 12 gamers? What if Johan Goosen had kicked over that all-important kick on the finish of normal time? What if Boeta Chamberlain hadn’t missed his last-gasp penalty try on the finish of extra-time?
These are all questions White, Nomlomo and their expenses will battle to reply within the subsequent few fours and certainly days.
As for the Sharks, they’ll be in a celebratory temper. They’ve simply pulled off one of many nice Houdini acts, not simply in Currie Cup historical past, however in rugby historical past.
The Sharks will face the Lions within the ultimate at Ellis Park, after the Johannesburg-based facet knocked out the defending champion Cheetahs within the first semi-final earlier on Saturday.
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