Sharks leave it late to down 14-man Pumas in Mbombela

A bonus point try after the hooter by Dian Bleuler saw the Sharks come out on top 24-22 in their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas on Friday.

RECAP | Pumas v Sharks

It was a brave effort from the home side, however, as they lost prop Njabulo Gumede in the 28th minute following a dangerous tackle in which there was a clash of heads with Sharks ball carrier Khutha Mchunu.

The match started with the Sharks scoring early when veteran pivot Lionel Cronje put flanker James Venter away for an unconverted try and an 5-0 lead in just the first minute.

The home side were on the board next when flyhalf Tinus de Beer cut the Sharks' lead to 5-3 when he landed a penalty. 

De Beer put the home side into the lead in the 17th minute when he landed another penalty following a Sharks infringement. 

In the 19th minute, the Sharks were reduced to 14 men when Cronje was sent to the sin bin for a cynical infringement in the red zone.

The Pumas opted to kick at goal, and De Beer easily landed the penalty to push the home side's lead out to 9-5. 

Soon after, Gumede received his marching orders, but despite being a man down, the Pumas kept up the pressure on the Sharks and could have extended their lead had De Beer not missed two further penalty attempts at goal as the two teams when into the break with the home side leading 9-5. 

De Beer made no mistake early in the second half when the Pumas were awarded a penalty in the Sharks' half to push the home side's lead out to 12-5. 

The Pumas continued to dominate possession, and a drop goal from De Beer saw them open a 15-5 lead in the 62nd minute, meaning the Sharks would need to score twice to claim back the lead.

That stung the Sharks into action, and they soon had a two-man advantage when the Pumas lost