Sharks stun Bulls in instant Currie Cup classic played over 100 minutes

The Bulls and Sharks played out to an extraordinary 40-all draw in extra-time, but the Durban-based side advanced to the Currie Cup final after scoring more tries.

With the teams deadlocked at 33-all after the regular 80 minutes, the game went into extra-time to determine the winner. But even after 100 minutes of action (two 10-minute halves of extra-time), both sides had only mustered up a converted tries each, leaving them level at 40-40.

The Bulls drew first blood in the first half of extra-time when Stravino Jacobs finally breached the Sharks’ stubborn defence. But it was veteran Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane who would have the final say when he sold a dummy pass before gliding over for the match-winning try.

And because the Sharks had outscored the Bulls by six tries to five overall, they go through to the Currie Cup final; while Jake White and Phiwe Nomlomo troops are left wondering what if?

What if they had taken better advantage when the Sharks were down to 14, then 13 and then 12 players? What if Johan Goosen had kicked over that all-important kick at the end of regular time? What if Boeta Chamberlain hadn’t missed his last-gasp penalty attempt at the end of extra-time?

Those are all questions White, Nomlomo and their charges will battle to answer in the next few fours and indeed days.

As for the Sharks, they’ll be in a celebratory mood. They’ve just pulled off one of the great Houdini acts, not just in Currie Cup history, but in rugby history.

The Sharks will face the Lions in the final at Ellis Park, after the Johannesburg-based side knocked out the defending champion Cheetahs in the first semi-final earlier on Saturday.

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