Sharks dig deep to give JP Pietersen winning start against Saracens

Former World Cup-winner Pietersen had promised long-suffering Sharks supporters a side that would fight until the final whistle, and his players delivered in testing conditions.

Key contributions from Springbok stars like Siya Kolisi, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker and Grant Williams proved enough to overcome occasional lapses in discipline and decision-making - though the weather certainly played its part.

The hosts made a fast start and struck inside the opening five minutes when a well-drilled rolling maul delivered Siya Kolisi over the line, with George Whitehead converting to give the Sharks an early 7-0 lead.

Saracens responded through their own maul, with hooker Theo Dan breaking away to score in the 14th minute, although Fergus Burke's conversion attempt drifted wide. The visitors then seized momentum midway through the half, capitalising on Sharks errors as Sam Spink won the race to a grubber kick to score under the posts. Burke converted and later added a penalty to push Saracens into a 15-7 lead.

The Sharks rallied strongly before the break. Aphelele Fassi finished off a patient attacking build-up for a crucial try, which Whitehead converted, before the hosts struck again on the stroke of half-time. A sweeping move released Edwill van der Merwe out wide, and Whitehead's second conversion handed the Sharks a 21-15 advantage at the interval.

Saracens dominated territory early in the second half but were repeatedly repelled by a resolute Sharks defence. Burke narrowed the gap with a penalty in the 55th minute, but the turning point followed soon after when Dan was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Makazole Mapimpi.

The Sharks made the extra man count almost immediately. Ethan Hooker broke the line and sent Grant Williams racing under the posts for a decisive try, with Whitehead adding the extras to extend the lead to 28-18.

Saracens refused to go quietly and set up a nervy finale when Angus Hall powered over from a driving maul in the 65th minute. Burke missed the conversion, leaving the Sharks five points clear.

Despite losing Nick Hatton to a late yellow card and facing sustained pressure in the closing moments, the Sharks defended stoutly to deny Saracens a winning score and close out a hard-fought victory in Durban.