Botes hat-trick keeps Sharks in semifinal race

A hat-trick of tries from flank Jacques Botes kept the Sharks in the race for a Super 14 semifinal place after they beat the Cheetahs 33-14 (halftime 14-7) in Durban today. Victory and a bonus point for scoring five tries lifted the Sharks to 35 points and briefly into fourth in the standings with one round of matches to play.

It ensured that they would have a chance of qualifying for the last four when they host the Waikato Chiefs in Durban next week. They will need to secure another five-point haul and rely on other results going their way to reach the playoffs after ending a three-match losing streak.

In the closing stages it looked as if the Sharks' semi-final aspirations would be dashed as they only had Botes's three tries to show for their efforts. But with two minutes remaining wing Odwa Ndungane sliced his way over the line to secure the bonus point and then added another try after the final hooter had sounded.

Botes opened his account in the 14th minute Botes when he dotted down after a rolling maul following a lineout close to the Cheetahs' line. His second try came in the 28th minute when he forced his way over after a period of Sharks pressure.

He completed his hat-trick in the 46th minute after he was put clear with a neat inside pass from Springbok wing JP Pietersen. The Cheetahs replied with tries from wing Jongi Nokwe, his sixth of the season, and centre Meyer Bosman but could not avoid slumping to their 11th defeat in 12 matches. - Reuters