The ghosts of Zebre disasters past loomed large and eerily over Kings Park on Saturday afternoon as the brave Italians came scarily close to the upset of the season.
The Sharks saw their collective deaths before their eyes before pulling themselves out of their grave to snatch a 35-34 United Rugby Championship win that consolidates their fourth position on the URC table, but the performance will not put the fear of the rugby gods into their rivals.
Just over a year ago in Parma, it was the Sharks that made history for all the wrong reasons when Zebre ended a staggering 28-match losing streak by beating the Durbanites in John Plumtree’s fourth game back in the coaching saddle.
Lightning almost struck twice as the Sharks put on Santa Claus hats and gifted the Italians a wealth of attacking opportunities.
The Sharks started well enough when heavy early pressure saw Siya Kolisi stretch over for the opening score. It was the Springbok captain’s fourth try in three games.
The all-Springbok front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch looked too strong for the Italians and the scrum penalties flowed.
From the space provided by one advancing scrum, Makazole Mapimpi broke beautifully and sprinted 50 metres before passing inside to Jurenzo Julius. It was neat interplay between the oldest and youngest players in the team.
At 14-0 after as many minutes, the Sharks became too loose in their play, especially with their kicking, and that benefited Zebre because they love to counter-attack.
A try by wing Allesandro Gesi was well deserved, and they drew level when Giacomo Ferrari wrestled over from a lineout maul.
The Sharks were under pressure, and 50-50 passes were forced. Some did not come off and played into Zebre’s hands.
On one such occasion, they took a spilled Sharks pass and ran 80 metres. They were prevented from scoring when Mapimpi deliberately went offside, and he went to the bin for his sin.
Zebre settled for a penalty in front of the posts, and they were ahead 17-14 after half an hour.
The Sharks needed a spark, and it came from captain Kolisi.
From a lineout just inside the Zebre half, he peeled around the front and sped down the touchline, rounded the Zebre right wing, and scored a memorable solo try.
The Sharks were getting their power game going and Vincent Koch barrelled over after a sensational period of play that had most of the team handling the ball.
But Zebre started the second half the stronger side because the Sharks once more gave them opportunities to attack.
After five minutes, the Sharks had been on attack in the Zebre 22 when Yaw Penxe flung the ball inside to an opposition player and 80 metres later, fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli had scored a spectacular try.
Just two minutes later, Zebre scored a carbon copy try to take the lead at 31-28.
The Sharks were attacking on the Zebre 22 when a careless pass went into Zebre’s hands, and Prisciantelli finished brilliantly at the opposite end of the field.
On the three-quarter mark, a penalty given away by Jordan Hendrikse in front of his posts pushed the score out to 34-28, and the upset was on the cards.
The Sharks scored their first points of the second half five minutes from time after a long series of dominant scrums freed up Ethan Hooker to score in the corner.
Hendrikse held his nerve to convert, and give the Sharks a tenuous but ultimately winning 35-34 lead.
Points-Scorers
Sharks 35 – Tries: Siya Kolisi (2), Jurenzo Julius, Vincent Koch, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (5).
Zebre 34 – Tries: Alessandro Gesi, Giacomo Ferrari, Geronimo Prisciantelli (2). Conversions: Giovanni Montemauri (4). Penalties: Montemauri (2).