The Suzuki Griquas recorded their first win of the 2024 Currie Cup on Friday with a late 34-31 win against the Sharks in Kimberley.

It was a match of two halves at the Suzuki Stadium with the Sharks, who were loaded with five Springbok stars, racing to a 24-7 lead at the interval, while in the second stanza the Peacock Blues mounted a comeback effort which is typical of their play.

The Springbok centre André Esterhuizen ran the backline beautifully the Sharks and his slick hands led to numerous tries for the visitors from Durban.

In the first 30 minutes of the game who would have felt that it was game over as Dan Jooste, Muller du Plessis and the captain Nick Hatton also scored tries. For the Griquas, Hanru Sirgel scored in the 29th minute to get the hosts on the board.

Ten minutes into the second half the Griquas comeback started with the fullback Cameron Hufke scoring, while nine minutes later the prop Cebo Dlamini crashed over. The centre Sango Xamlashe and replacement hooker Gustav du Rand crossed the whitewash to put Griquas in the lead for the first time with nine minutes remaining on the clock.

The former Griquas winger, Eduan Keyter, then struck back for the Sharks to level matters in Kimberley at 31-31 and the clock ticking down.

With one minute remaining in the game the Griquas earned a penalty and the Lions-bound former Shimlas flyhalf, Lubabalo Dobela, slotted three-pointer through the uprights from distance for the sensational win.

The scenes in Kimberley ????

Suzuki Griquas win to upset a star-studded Hollywoodbets Sharks XV ?? pic.twitter.com/qEDsxO7WVm

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 12, 2024

In Friday's second game, the Lions ran-riot in Nelspruit as they hammered the Pumas 75-21 at Mbombela Stadium. The former Cheetahs fullback, Tapiwa Mafura scored a hat-trick of tries for the Lions, while another former Free State player, Rabz Maxwane, scored a brace. Sibabalo Qoma who left the Cheetahs with Mafura scored a try on debut for the Lions.

Griquas: Tries - Hanru Sirgel, Cameron Hufke, Cebo Dlamini, Sango Xamlashe, Gustav du Rand Conv. - Lubabalo Dobela 3 Pen. - Dobela

Sharks: Tries - Dan Jooste, Muller du Plessis, Nick Hatton, Aphelele Fassie, Eduan Keyter Conv. - Lionel Cronje 3

Morgan Piek OFM Sport