Sharks battle back to beat Bordeaux

The first half may have gone in favour of Bordeaux, but the visitors battled back in the second, with a try from Werner Kok and brilliant kicking from Curwin Bosch helping the South African debutants to a second victory in their first two Pool A games.

A second defeat in a row for Bordeaux damaged their qualification hopes, Renato Giammarioli going over for the hosts in the first half.

The flanker dotted down for the first points of the game on seven minutes, with Bordeaux taking advantage of wing Kok’s sin-binning for a dangerous tackle.

A well-executed lineout sucked in the visiting defenders, before the French side burst out into the centre where they forced themselves over the line with some strong carries.

Heavy hitting proved to be one theme of the match, while another was some sensational kicking. Fly-half Bosch slotted three penalties over the course of the game, none more impressive than the effort from inside his own half shortly after Giammarioli’s try.

His deft drop-goal further reduced the deficit moments later, but errors and mistakes allowed scrum-half Jules Gimbert to kick two penalties for Bordeaux and ensure an 18-9 lead for the home side at the break.

The second half was equally competitive, but it was Cell C Sharks who took command as their pack flexed their muscles and won successive penalties at breakdowns and scrums.

Eventually the pressure told on 48 minutes, some quick hands allowing Cell C Sharks to switch play and find Kok, who atoned for his earlier yellow and crossed to put his side in front.

They would never surrender that lead, nor looked like doing so, with Bosch kicking a further penalty to keep the scoreboard moving.

Ill-discipline cost Bordeaux as they never regained momentum, fly-half Zack Holmes’ penalty on 68 minutes proved purely consolatory as Cell C Sharks saw the game out.

The two sides face each other again in Round 3 on January 14, this time in Durban, South Africa.