Sharks v Ospreys
BKT United Rugby championship
Hollywoodbets kings park
26th September 2026
Ospreys try scorers: Luke Morgan, Sam Parry, Liam Wright, Iestyn Hopkins
Conversions: Lawson Creighton (2)
Our 26/27 season officially kicked off as we began our South African tour in Durban against The Sharks. There were plenty of big hits in a high-scoring game that saw the Ospreys hold strong to come away with a vital try bonus point.
Sharks applied early pressure on the Ospreys defence with an extended spell of possession in the opening minutes. But, the line stood firm and the boys eventually forced a turnover to clear.
After some tense exchanges in midfield, the Sharks broke away from the scrum and put the ball through the hands to send Hatton over for the opening score. Try converted. Sharks 7 - 0 Ospreys.
The boys were more than holding their own in the collision, forcing multiple handling errors from the Sharks with some monstrous hits.
Sharks clearly had a gameplan to avoid rucks when in possession, trying to create some anarchy in attack through offloading, but an organised Ospreys defence was keeping for the home side at bay
With just over 20 minutes played, Sharks doubled their lead. A strike play ran off the lineout did created a hole through the middle for Hendrikse to received an offload and deliver it inside for Manu Tshituka to finish under the sticks. Conversion good. Sharks 14 - 0 Ospreys.
The home team struck again not long after. Ospreys got the shove on atthe scrum, but Sharks recovered well to free Giliomee who used his speed to round two defenders. Conversion made. Sharks 21 - 0 Ospreys.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! An up and under from Iestyn Hopkins caused havoc for the Sharks as we retained the ball in opposition 22. A few strong carries from the pack saw the ball in Lawson Creighton's hands and the Aussie whipped a perfectly weighted miss pass out to Luke Morgan who finished in the corner. Creighton converted. Sharks 21 - 7 Ospreys.
Unfortunately, the Shatks answered straight back.Ospreys had possession in the Sharks 22, but the ball went loose and the Sharks were able to get on the end of their own grubber and touch the ball down through Bester. Conversion made. Sharks 28 - 7 Ospreys.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! With the clock in the red, the boys had the ball for over four minutes near the Sharks line. Multiple infringements at the maul fomr the home ream saw the same lineout repeated on three occasions and a warning issue. On the final attempt, the maul rumbled forward and Sam Parry shoved over for the try. Creighton converted. Sharks 28 - 14 Ospreys.
HALF TIME: SHARKS 28 - 14 OSPREYS
The Ospreys kept momentum going and started the second half like the Sharks did the first, applying instand pressure on their opponents and asking questions of their defence.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! With the ball on the outskirts of the Sharks’ 22, the pack worked their magic as a pop pass from Sam Parry to Liam Wright caught the home team off guard and sent the big six in untouched. Conversion missed. Sharks 28 - 19 Ospreys.
Morgan Morris was taking names as he carried hard, forcing multiple defenders in to tackle him after beating the first man. Special mention also to James Ratti who was soaking Sharks into contact like it was going out of fashion.
With just over 10 minutes played in the second half, the Sharks extended their lead through a penalty. A clear recognition of the Ospreys defence, who were proving difficult to break down in structured play. Sharks 31 - 19 Ospreys.
After a scrum penalty inside the Ospreys half, the Sharks again went for the posts and took another three points. Sharks 34 - 19 Ospreys.
The Ospreys pack had all the momentum but the greasy ball, which was proving to be an issue for both teams, went loose several times.
As we ticked over into the final quarter, the Sharks sent a crossfield kick to the corner and crossed for a possible score. But, Luke Morgan had done well to disrupt in the air and the TMO called a knock on.
But, it was still the Sharks who would strike next. A penalty gave them a strong attacking platform to win the lineout and Giliomee finished in the corner despite some huge hits from the Ospreys defensive line. Sharks 41 - 19 Ospreys.
BONUS POINT TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! A score made by Kieran Hardy. The scrum half cut through the Sharks defence from a beautiful darting run, bwas brought down just short. He recovered well to recyle the ball and a few phases later floated a perfect miss pass to out to Iestyn Hopkins who finished with ease. Sharks 41- 24 Ospreys.
The Sharks hammered at the Ospreys line in the dying minutes, but the boys held firm to deny them a final score.
FULL TIME: SHARKS 41 - 24 Ospreys
Next week, we travel to Johannesburg to take on the 10Bet Lions in the final game of our South African tour
Back at home, excitment is building for St Helen's!
We welcome Dragons for our first home game on 24 October and tickets are flying out. The JCP Solicitors stand is sold out, the Family Stand is 50% gone, and a new release of terrace tickets have been selling fast over the weekend! Join us for a historic match.
It's only the first time once:
