{"id":271534,"date":"2026-01-31T17:30:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.ghanamma.com\/za\/2026\/01\/31\/sharks-make-it-two-on-the-bounce-against-stormers-in-urc-coastal-derby-thriller\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T17:30:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:30:06","slug":"sharks-make-it-two-on-the-bounce-against-stormers-in-urc-coastal-derby-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2026\/01\/31\/sharks-make-it-two-on-the-bounce-against-stormers-in-urc-coastal-derby-thriller\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks make it two on the bounce against Stormers in URC coastal derby thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Another humdinger in Durban, another statement victory from the Sharks. <\/span><\/p>\n

In a bruising, back-and-forth coastal clash, the home side outlasted the Stormers to claim a 36-24 bonus-point win and seal a second consecutive victory over their Cape rivals in the United Rugby Championship (URC).<\/span><\/p>\n

The visitors delivered a much-improved performance after last weekend\u2019s loss; however, the Sharks were in the driving seat for most of the game, like in Cape Town, to score five brilliant tries for another positive result as they fight back in the URC after a tough start.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cooking up a storm in seconds \u23f0<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport \ud83c\udfc9@Vodacom<\/a> #URC<\/a> | #SHAvSTO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7d8wVT7ELX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Captain Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen again led the charge, but this time he had plenty of help from scrumhalf Grant Williams and flanker Siya Kolisi, who all played a telling role in the victory. While it was the Stormers who started fastest, scoring a try after 28 seconds, the home team had the last laugh in the coastal derby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach touched down after a quick penalty tap following a brilliant kick-chase from the first kick-off. Flanker Paul de Villiers was first over the ball, with Esterhuizen judged to hold on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grant Williams returned the favour 10 minutes later when he took a quick tap off a penalty, crossing the line after evading a couple of tackles and showed what Reinach can do, he sure can too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s a battle of the scrumhalves! \ud83c\udfc9 9\ufe0f\u20e3@SharksRugby<\/a> scrumhalf Grant Williams responds to Cobus Reinach with a try of his own.<\/p>\n

Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby<\/a>
DHL @THESTORMERS<\/a>@Vodacom<\/a> #URC<\/a>#SHAvSTO<\/a> #CoastalDerby<\/a> |#EXTRAAYourSummer<\/a> | #ExtraordinaryLeague<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tqtaHWywe0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While the boot of captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kept the Stormers in the game, Sharks outside centre scored an easy try to get his team back in front shortly before halftime. But, another penalty of the Stormers No 10 gave them a slight lead of 15-14 at the break.<\/span><\/p>\n

They had to fight a yellow card to Paul de Villiers and countless calls by referee Christopher Allison to stay in the fight. Meanwhile, the Sharks only received penalties against them for plenty of infringements without Allison going to his pocket once. Ruben van Heerden also received his marching orders in the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n

De Villiers opened the scoring in the second half, but from there, it was all the Sharks. The Stormers\u2019 inability to exit from kick-offs really hurt them, while their discipline also faltered in the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n

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55m x2 – Sacha\u2019s boot speaks \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport \ud83c\udfc9@Vodacom<\/a> #URC<\/a> | #SHAvSTO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Z9wVBjNG3w<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Esterhuizen scored first for the Sharks, while winger Jaco Williams crossed for a double with his second coming off an error by replacement fullback Warrick Gelant. The ball crossed the try line after a kick, and Gelant looked to have dotted it down, but Allison, on the verdict, said he did not put pressure on the ball, with the Sharks winger doing so for the five-pointer.<\/span><\/p>\n

That try sealed the match for the home side and a first double URC victory over the Stormers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Points scorers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sharks 36 (14): Tries:<\/strong> Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker, Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen, Jaco Williams (2). Conversions:<\/strong> Jordan Hendrikse (4). Penalty:<\/strong> Hendrikse. Stormers 24 (17): Tries:<\/strong> Cobus Reinach, Paul de Villiers. Conversion:<\/strong> Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Penalties:<\/strong> Feinberg-Mngomezulu (4).<\/span><\/p>\n