KEY POINTS:
Springboks fullback Percy Montgomery scored all of his team's points as the Sharks took a clear lead in the Super 14 rugby competition with a 23-16 win over the Highlanders in Durban today.
It was their third consecutive home victory at Absa Stadium following wins over the Bulls and Waratahs, giving them a two-point lead over compatriots, the Cheetahs, in the competition.
The result also completed all three South African victories over New Zealand teams, with defending champions, the Crusaders, going down 9-3 to last year's 11th placed Lions in Johannesburg and the Chiefs losing 21-16 to the Stormers in Cape town.
Man-of-the-match Montgomery scored a try in each half, converted both and kicked three penalties.
First five-eighth Charlie Hore landed three penalties for the Highlanders and replacement back Jason Kawau scored a late try after coming close earlier, with the television match official adjudging he touched the flag before dotting down.
It was only the Highlanders' defence that kept them in the game after Montgomery and his fellow backs Marius Joubert, Meyer Bosnan and Ronnie Cooke applied immense pressure with their counter-attacking.
"We had a difficult week with numerous changes to the team and several youngsters being drafted in, but we stuck together and performed the basics well," Montgomery said.
Highlanders captain Craig Newby didn't offer any excuses even though they were in touch with the Sharks throughout the match.
"The Sharks counter-attacked superbly in the first half, tore us to shreds at times, and we were lucky to trail by only four points (10-6) at the break," he told NZPA.
"I guess they took their opportunities. They made a few linebreaks and if it wasn't for our scrambling (defence) we would have got a hiding today -- that was a bit pleasing. But coming off with two losses on tour is not good enough for us."
The match marked the return to Super 14 action of former Springboks captain and No 8 Bob Skinstad, who came on with nine minutes left.
Montgomery struck his first blow after just six minutes, taking a blindside pass from a scrum, after the initial attack was taken to the left, to cross for a try he converted before adding a penalty to give his team a 10-point advantage.
Despite dominating territory and possession, the Sharks wasted several chances and Hore kicked two penalties from three attempts to cut the gap to four points by halftime.
The Sharks stretched their lead to 16-9 midway through the second half when Montgomery landed two penalties and Hore one, but home supporters had to wait until five minutes from the end before celebrating another try.
Montgomery and halfback Ruan Pienaar carved open the Highlanders defence and the fullback ran in unopposed for a try which he converted to seemingly seal the fate of the New Zealanders.
But Kawau crossed for a try almost immediately, Hore converted, and the Highlanders had the ball just short of the Sharks line when they were penalised and the final whistle sounded.
Sharks 23 (Percy Montgomery 2 tries; Montgomery 3 pen, 2 con), Highlanders 16 (Jason Kawau try; Charlie Hore 3 pen, con). Halftime: 10-6.
- NZPA
