Sep 21 (Askume) – Jordan Hendricks converted a last-gasp penalty near the midfield line as the Sharks beat the Lions 16-14 in Saturday’s Currie Cup final to secure a place in South Africa’s long-running domestic competition for the first time since 2018.
Two minutes into the game, they were awarded a penalty for a defensive foul in midfield and Hendrix expertly kicked the ball away.
The Lions looked set for a home win at Ellis Park after substitute striker Siba Kumar went over for a 75th-minute try and Sanil Nohamba scored late in the second half to put the home side 14-13 ahead at half-time.
There was no scoring in a tense game until the 12th minute of the second half, when Sharks winger Ethan Hooker sprinted about half the length of the field and headed for a corner kick.
But less than five minutes later, Nico Stein equalised for the home side with a powerful strike.
In the 65th minute, Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku’s long shot helped the team take the lead. Hendrix scored another penalty kick near the sideline and the Sharks went ahead 13-7.
But the Lions regained the lead and a turnover looked like it gave the Sharks a chance to make a breakthrough before time expired.
