OSPREYS: Bonus point the only consolation as Sharks overpower Ospreys in Durban

The Ospreys suffered an opening-weekend United Rugby Championship defeat in South Africa for the second season running, overpowered 41-24 by the Sharks in Durban.

Mark Jones’ side were comprehensively beaten at Kings Park but, just as when they lost at the Bulls in 2025, they at least came away with a four-try bonus point.

The Sharks led 28-14 at the break through tries from Nick Hatton, Manu Tshituka, Luan Giliomee and Lili Bester, with the Ospreys replying through Luke Morgan and co-captain Sam Parry.

Liam Wright’s score on his competitive debut brought the visitors back into it after the restart, but Vusi Moyo’s boot and a second Giliomee try settled it, before Iestyn Hopkins went over late for the bonus point.

A ruthless opening half-hour

The Sharks opened the scoring in the 12th minute, a slick passing move from their own half ending with scrum-half Jayden Hendrikse sending number eight Hatton over from close range.

After a dominant first quarter they extended the lead, a mazy run from centre Murray Koster beating a couple of challenges to create space for Lorenzo Julius and then flanker Tshituka to run in unchallenged.

It went from bad to worse as the hosts raced 21 points clear on the half hour, full-back Giliomee slicing the Ospreys defence open and running unopposed from deep in his own half, Moyo adding the extras.

Morgan and Parry keep them in touch

To their credit the Ospreys hit back immediately. Luke Davies’ box kick was gathered by Wright, the play fed wide to co-captain Owen Watkin, who put Morgan over in the corner. Lawson Creighton’s conversion from out wide brought the fly-half his first points for the club.

But the turning point came when the visitors were caught on the counter. An attacking scrum collapsed with the ball going loose, and a kick to the Ospreys 22 found Bester to restore the commanding advantage and secure the Sharks’ bonus point.

A trademark driving maul narrowed the gap on the final play of the half, Parry touching down from short range after the pack powered towards the line.

Wright’s debut try, then discipline costs them

Knowing they needed a fast start to the second half, the Ospreys got one. Parry found Wright from a scrum and the former Australia captain sprang through a gap to score on his competitive debut for the region.

Creighton’s missed conversion and a couple of Moyo penalties then stretched the lead beyond reach, the Ospreys paying for poor discipline.

With both sides making multiple changes the game became disjointed, and it was the Sharks who scored next with 12 minutes to play, a powerful move ending with the ball worked wide for Giliomee’s second.

The Ospreys huffed and puffed and were rewarded with the bonus-point fourth try, Kieran Hardy slicing through the Sharks defence before being brought down just short, the replacement’s long pass then finding Hopkins to score out wide.

It was a heavy defeat on a day the Sharks impressed on home soil, but the Ospreys leave Durban with a point as they continue their South African tour against the Emirates Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg next Saturday (12.45pm kick-off).

Ospreys

Iestyn Hopkins; Tom Rogers, Owen Watkin (co-capt), Lalakai Foketi (Evardi Boshoff 62), Luke Morgan; Lawson Creighton (Harri Wilde 67), Luke Davies (Kieran Hardy 52); Steffan Thomas (Gareth Thomas 45), Sam Parry (co-capt) (Efan Daniel 52), Tom Botha (Rhys Henry 45), James Ratti (Harri Deaves 62), Rhys Davies, Liam Wright (Ryan Smith 52), Ross Moriarty, Morgan Morris.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com