Fabulous Fassi imperious as Sharks made to sweat to beat Scarlets

Springbok Aphelele Fassi produced another fantastic performance from fullback to help the Sharks overcome the Llanelli Scarlets 37-20 at Kings Park on Friday night.

The 24-year-old showed once more why he is putting pressure on Bok incumbent Willie le Roux for the No 15 starting jersey with a showing that was clean in the air and threatening with his feet.

Although evidently playing with a heavily strapped leg, Fassi routinely stepped past Scarlets defenders once they tired.

AS IT HAPPENED | Sharks 37-20

He lorded over the high ball, which was a favourite tactic of the Welsh tourists.

But before the Sharks scored the four tries that sealed them the win, they were made to sweat by the visitors, whose intense game plan could only last about 55 minutes before the hosts showed their true colours.

The Sharks got away with numerous Scarlets near-misses in the first half that would have put the visitors well ahead at the start.

In the 7th minute, Sam Costelow thought he dotted the ball down before Fassi during a high-speed chase but the Sharks fullback got literal fingertips on the ball before the Scarlets 10.

Five minutes later, Steff Evans scored in the corner after a well­­­ crafted backline move from first phase lineout ball, but the right winger's theatrics led him to step into touch, and the try was chalked off.

You'd think that would have woken the Sharks up and called them into action but the opposite happened.

Stand-in captain Siya Kolisi had to make a try-saving tackle on Scarlets scrumhalf Dane Blacker after another clean break from a visiting lineout.

The Sharks would have thought they'd have better control of the contest but they found themselves doing most of the defending and the Scarlets being the most threatening.

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