Photo by Roger Sedres/ImageSA/ SARU
The SWD Eagles turned in a storming second-half performance to down the Cell C Sharks XV 36-13 (half-time 17-13) in their Vodacom Cup South Section match at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday.
The Eagles ran in three second-half tries on their way to scoring 29 unanswered points with the Sharks XV unable to score any second-half points.
Eighthman Zandre Jordaan and right wing Alshaun Bock both scored a brace of tries for the Eagles who completed their second win of the season while the Sharks XV were consigned to their third loss in four games.
The start of the game was delayed for half-an-hour on a cold and windy evening after the Sharks XV arrived without their jerseys and they were forced to play in the Eagles’ away kit.
The hosts signalled their intentions early and they raced into an early lead when Jordaan rumbled over for a converted try in the fourth minute.
But the Sharks XV struck back almost immediately when former Springbok wing Tonderai Chavanga streaked over for a converted try before flyhalf Innocent Radebe slotted two penalties as the visitors eked out a 13-7 lead after 25 minutes.
However, the Eagles ended the half as the stronger of the two teams as hooker Kurt Haupt went over for a converted try before fullback Elric van Vuuren kicked a 37th-minute penalty as the hosts went to the break leading by four points in front of the small crowd of about 200 people.
Bock nabbed his first try seven minutes after the restart before the Eagles put the Sharks XV to the sword with Jordaan crashing over to complete his double, in the 51st minute, to secure the bonus point for scoring four tries.
Bock then completed the second-half rout when he crossed for his second try while fullback Elric van Heerden ended with 11 points courtesy of a penalty and four conversions.
SCORERS
SWD Eagles – Tries: Zandre Jordaan (2), Kurt Haupt, Alshaun Bock (2); Conversions: Elric van Vuuren (4), Penalty: Van Vuuren.
Cell C Sharks XV – Tries: Tonderai Chavanga; Conversions: Innocent Radebe; Penalties: Radebe (2).
