Scarlets put in a battling performance in Durban, but left empty handed after going down to a 29-19 defeat to star-studded Hollywoodbets Sharks side.
It was a much-improved display from Dwayne Peel’s team, who went toe to toe with a home outfit boasting 12 starting Springboks.
Tries from Marnus van der Merwe, Blair Murray and a scorcher from Tom Rogers kept the West Walians in the hunt, but ultimately the home side’s power told as the Sharks claimed a first win of the URC season.
It would have been frustrating for Dwayne and his coaching staff because the Scarlets created plenty of opportunities, particularly in the final quarter, only for execution close to the line to let them down.
But the performance was a step in the right direction after a difficult opening block of the campaign.
In searing heat in Durban, it was the home side out of the blocks the quickest, carving opening a try for flanker Vincent Tshituka after a midfield bust by Boks skipper Siya Kolisi.
However, Scarlets reacted impressively with skipper Johnny Williams providing the impetus.
It was the centre’s midfield burst and off-load to on-loan lock Harvey Cuckson that opened up the Sharks defensive line and the second row did well to draw the last defender and send hooker Marnus van der Merwe over at the posts. Sam Costelow landed the straightforward conversion.
However, the lead was a brief one, with the younger of the Tshituka brothers, Manu, making it a family affair by dancing his way over for the Sharks’ second.
Scarlets were refusing to cave to the power of the Sharks Springbok-laden pack and they were back in front on 21 minutes thanks to an opportunist score for Wales full-back Blair Murray.
From just inside the Sharks’ half, Murray chipped over the top, got his boot to the ball and then pounced on the kick through to grab a second try of the season. Costelow’s conversion made it 14-12.
The free-scoring nature of the half continued when prop Lee-Marvin Mazibuko – a late replacement for Boks prop Vincent Koch – crossed for his side’s third try, converted by Smith, but the Scarlets were causing their hosts plenty of problems, particularly at the breakdown.
Trailing 19-14 at half-time, Scarlets were level within five minutes of the restart thanks to a brilliant score by wing Tom Rogers, who burst onto a delayed pass from Dane Blacker on halfway before sprinting clear and weaving his way around the despairing last defender to the line.
However, once again, the Sharks’ response was immediate with Kolisi twisting over from a line-out drive after the visitors had failed to deal with the restart.
Smith converted then pushed the score out to 29-19 with a long-range penalty, but Scarlets kept on pressing.
Dan Davis was held up over the line from a line-out drive, then Blacker was just short after a touchline run from Rogers. Taine Plumtree was then yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on and the Sharks were able to see out the contest for their opening win of the campaign.
The URC will resume at the end of November when the Scarlets host Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets.
Sharks – tries: V. Tshituka, E. Tshituka, L-M. Mazibuko, S. Kolisi. Cons: J. Smith (3). Pen: Smith
Scarlets – tries: M. van der Merwe, B. Murray, T. Rogers. Cons: S. Costelow (2).
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Att: 9528