A determined Connacht came out the right side of game that hung in the balance in Durban to edge out the Sharks and make it four wins from five in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The visitors were outscored two tries to one, but out-half JJ Hanrahan's second-half penalty – Connacht’s only score after the break – proved the difference as they held on 13-12 and condemn the South African side to a fifth successive defeat since the season kicked off.
The Sharks won nine of their 12 games in Durban last season in all competitions, but John Plumtree’s side find themselves bottom of the table after their ninth successive defeat to Irish opposition in the competition.
Connacht began brightly with forwards building an imposing platform, driving their opponents backwards from a close-range lineout before patient phase-play ended with backrower Sean O'Brien powering over and Hanrahan adding the extras.
A great start for Connacht as their early pressure is rewarded with Sean O'Brien’s first try for the province.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
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Sharks were boosted by the return of double World Cup-winning Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am and he made his presence felt early on by running hard at Connacht's defence.
But the visitors coped impressively through strong defensive organisation, highlighted by the Sharks making six handling errors during the opening quarter.
Just after the half hour mark however, the Sharks drew level with a converted try after Sikhumbuzo Notshe got over.
Sharks bite back against Connacht - and tensions boil over.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
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Curwin Bosch missed the straightforward conversion attempt and Sharks infringed virtually from the restart, allowing Hanrahan an easy penalty chance that he accepted.
Sharks continued to spill possession in promising positions and Connacht comfortably preserved their advantage, leading 10-5 at the interval.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern in stamina-sapping humidity, yet Connacht's cause was not helped when referee Craig Evans yellow-carded lock Oisin Dowling following a technical infringement.
The Sharks took just two minutes to capitalise as they worked a one-man overlap and Kok sprinted over for a try with the Connacht players waiting for a whistle that never came. Bosch converted, giving his team a two-point lead.
After intense Sharks pressure, they finally get over the line, but only after Connacht stop for a whistle that never arrived.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
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Connacht had to dig deep, given the Sharks' improvement, but they stuck to their task impressively and Hanrahan kicked them back in front 13 minutes from time.
JJ Hanrahan holds his nerve to kick Connacht back in front with just over 10 minutes remaining.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
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Sharks had a chance to go ahead after 74 minutes but replacement Boeta Chamberlain could not find the target from an angled penalty attempt, which summed up Sharks' season so far.
Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter (capt), Aphiwe Dyantyi; Curwin Bosch, Cameron Wright; Ntuthuko Mchunu, Dylan Richardson, Coenie Oosthuizen; Corne Rahl, Emile van Heerden; James Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
Replacements: Daniel Jooste, Dian Bleuler, Hanro Jacobs, Jeandre Labuschagne, Tinotenda Mavesere, Zee Mkhabela, Boeta Chamberlain, Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Colm Reilly; Denis Buckley, Tadhg McElroy, Finlay Bealham; Oisin Dowling, Joe Joyce; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver (capt), Sean O'Brien.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Darragh Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, John Porch.
