The Hollywoodbets Sharks of Durban won the new format of the Currie Cup last night, against the Golden Lions of Johannesburg (16-14). A title snatched at the end of regulation time thanks to a 60m penalty from the phenomenon Jordan Hendrikse.
Hollywoodbets Sharks are increasingly establishing themselves as the South African province to watch this season. After the Siya Kolisi recruitment for the new edition of the United Rugby Championship (URC)the province of Durban has just won the oldest competition in the world, the Currie Cup, against the Golden Lions (16-14). Without Eben Etzebeth and many internationals, currently selected for the Rugby Championship, the Sharks logically fielded an experimental team as they have since the start of the competition, which now takes place all summer long, making the calendar endlessThe game was extremely tense between the two teams, with many balls lost and an impressive 0-0 at half-time.
Hendrikse, hero of the evening
The game finally got going in the 53rd minute, thanks to a fantastic move by the Sharks, led by André Esterhuizen (183 metres covered!). The Springbok centre, brilliant in the impact, broke through and shifted Ethan Hooker who finished off a move of more than 50 metres. After that, it was the start of an incredible back-and-forth, the Lions reacted thanks to Nico Steyn, then Siba Qoma allowed them to take a small point lead with 5 minutes to go in the game (13-14). At that moment, everything seemed to be going well for the province of Johannesburg.
The siren sounded, the Red and Whites took a throw-in, Raynard Roets secured the reception, the title seemed assured. But that was without counting on the resilience of the Sharks who took advantage of a tiny mistake by the Lions. Corne Rahl managed to snatch the ball directly on the rebound, to offer one last ammunition! But in their own half and exhausted, the Sharks struggled to advance. It was at this moment that Jordan Hendrikse decided to emerge. Tackled high, he obtained a penalty 60m from the posts… The young fullback (23 years old, 1 selection), who obtained his first cap against Wales in June, decided to take the points. A totally crazy choice to seal the fate of the match. And yet it happened! Thanks to this incredible penalty, the Sharks won the Currie Cup for the first time since 2018.
Duality of Rugby.
On the same night that Jordan Hendrikse sinks a 59m kick in the rain, with the clock in the red, to win the Currie Cup Final.
Manie Libbok misses a kick in from the front of the posts to win the Rugby Championship.
Heartbreak for one, ecstasy for the other. pic.twitter.com/spcYyesuxI
— Angus (@AnalystGus)
It is the second trophy of the year for the South African province, after the 2024 Challenge Cup.
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