Sharks get it going in last 10 minutes

Every so often coach Kevin Putt allows his perfectionist side to emerge in his quest to revive the Sharks' glory days.

Such as when he dissected Saturday's late, late show in which his team ran in three tries in the last 10 minutes to devour the Falcons 44-19 in Springs, a result that catapulted the Sharks to the summit of the Currie Cup Top 8 standings.

Victory over Griquas at Absa Stadium this Saturday with a bonus point will ensure a home semi-final - regardless of what the Lions, Cheetahs, or Bulls manage in their final pool encounters. It's as simple as that.

Yet, Putt conceded that his charges did not cover themselves in glory for three-quarters of the contest before blasting their opponents away with a late flourish.

"We've a lot of soul-searching to do," he said looking back on a lethargic opening 60 minutes which could have been played by two mid-table teams with nothing at stake. "I ripped into them at half-time," he said.

"If you'd asked me, I would have told you that at half-time we didn't deserve to make the semifinals. But at fulltime I would have told you that this was a team full of character."

The Sharks came out for the second spell as if they intended to give their supporters a reason to celebrate.

Deon Kayser dotted down at the end of a routine back-row blindside move featuring Brad Macleod-Henderson and Ryan Walker that showed how easily the Falcons' defence could be penetrated.

But approaching the end of the third quarter, they were found wanting when a move broke down deep into the home side's 22. The Falcons counter-attacked, carrying the ball out wide to leftwing Jacques Booysen, who cut inside and, when challenged, put in a diagonal kick, which was picked up by teammate Wynand Lourens, who off-loaded it for the wing to complete the movement.

Kies's conversion, which put the Falcons 19-18 ahead, stung the Sharks into action.

Charl van Rensburg, Ollie le Roux and Nicolas Fernandez-Miranda were all thrust on from the bench.

The two replacement forwards and Argentinian scrumhalf brought some purpose to a listless pack. And the tries followed - by Van Rensburg, a suddenly rejuvenated Gaffie du Toit, first from the wing and then ghosting through from the flyhalf berth, before Le Roux completed the demolition.

- Scorers:

Falcons: Try: Jacques Booysen. Conversion: Andre Kies. Penalties: Andre Kies (4).

Sharks: Tries: AJ Venter, Deon Kayser, Charl van Rensburg, Gaffie du Toit (2), Ollie le Roux. Conversions: Butch James (2), Gaffie du Toit (2). Penalties: Butch James (2).