Nick Hatton, Captain of the Cell C Sharks during the 2024 Currie Cup game between the Sharks and the Lions. | BackpagePix
THE Sharks broke their Currie Cup duck spectacularly last night when they shocked the previously unbeaten Lions 35-22 in Johannesburg.
The Durbanites scored four tries to earn a bonus point in their rampant win, with the final score respectable only because of a late try by the hosts.
In every respect, the Sharks dominated a far more experienced Lions team and the future bodes well for the Sharks given that nearly all of their players are under 23.
The main man on show was Sharks centre Jurenzo Julius. The 21-year-old scored tries early and then late in the game to ensure the Sharks were always on the scoreboard’s right side.
Julius has earned the nickname of “The Boogieman” because of his ability to either sneak up and cover-tackle ball carriers with deadly effect or to create a try from nothing.
Junior Springbok Julius is a player to watch out for at both Sharks and Springbok levels. He has gas on attack and an appetite for destruction on defence.
To give context to this game, Sharks coach JP Pietersen had no access to the senior Sharks players who contested the URC. They are either enjoying an eight-week compulsory leave break or are on Springbok duty.
This is why Sharks fans are saying they don’t know the players currently on display, and this is understandable, but the great news is that many of the “unknowns” who beat the Lions will soon be household names.
As a teenage player, Pietersen joined the Sharks Academy straight out of school and understands the path from the junior ranks to the highest level. He was a World Cup winner at the age of 19 and knows how quickly adversity can change into success.
Pietersen has been asking the Sharks public for patience as he manages a team of fresh-faced youngsters and after three narrow losses, the Sharks have handsomely defeated an experienced Lions side.
It was a lively start from the Sharks and two early penalties by veteran Lionel Cronje settled the nerves.
They were calmly led by Nick Hatton and he had a hand in Julius finding space out wide and accelerating through the Lions’ defence for a wonderful try on debut.
Cronje nudged the ball through the defence for lock Hugo to score the Sharks’ second try and then a Cronje drop goal pushed the Sharks well into the lead.
The Lions forwards manufactured a try for Morne Brandon only for Julius to respond with a fine try for the Sharks.
Scorers
Sharks — Tries: Jurenzo Julius (2), Reniel Hugo, Yaw Penxe. Penalties: Lionel Cronje (3). Conversions: Cronje (3).
Lions: Tries: Morne Brandon, SJ Kotze, Layton Horn. Penalties: Sam Francis. Conversions: Francis.
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