Following the Sharks’ heartbreaking 22-23 defeat to the Lions, here’s how we rated JP Pietersen’s charges in the United Rugby Championship clash.
Sharks player ratings v Lions
15 Aphelele Fassi: First game back since his concussion against Saracens, but wasn’t off the pace in the slightest. Strong under the high ball and put in a deft kick to Makazole Mapimpi, which led to a try. The coaching staff breathed a sigh of relief when he was able to continue after being clattered by Ruan Venter. 7
14 Edwill van der Merwe: Really effective in the air. He put Angelo Davids under pressure and he outpaced the former Blitzbok to score too. Needs to put up his hands for some of the issues in defence, though, as the Lions managed to get around the press. 7
13 Ethan Hooker: Needed more opportunities in attack and was guilty of a few misreads defensively too. It’s seldom that he has an underwhelming performance, but this match was the anomaly. 4
12 Andre Esterhuizen (c): Was his usual imposing self in contact, but the powerhouse Springbok was uncharacteristically error-ridden with four turnovers conceded. Brilliantly kicked through to send Van der Merwe away for his try too, but his decision to scrum in front of the posts near the end was a costly one. 4
11 Makazole Mapimpi: Competent under the high ball, though the Lions didn’t send many his way, and he competed. He did well to regather Fassi’s kick and keep the attack alive which led to Jason Jenkins’ try. The Sharks will hope that his injury isn’t too serious as he limped off early in the second half. 6
10 Jordan Hendrikse: His overcooked restart after the Lions’ first try ultimately led to the visitors’ second, but much like most of his teammates, he grew into the game. His quick thinking inspired Van der Merwe’s try. Needs to stamp out some of the soft errors in the game, but ended in the black. His inaccurate goal-kicking was ultimately the difference to as the Sharks outscored the Lions four tries to three but still lost. 4
9 Grant Williams: Sluggish start, poor first kick and then conceded the penalty that gave the Lions the lead. Misread Siya Kolisi’s intentions from a lineout set move, which resulted in lost possession. However, he turned his performance around through his box kicks before impressing on the wing yet again when Jaden Hendrikse entered the fray. 8