Eben Etzebeth ignites spirited & stunning Sharks in URC

Eben Etzebeth came off the bench and added fuel to a burning Sharks fire as they downed champions Leinster in Durban.

Etzebeth played just one match last season for the Sharks because of concussion issues and suspension but at Hollywood Bets Kings Park, on Saturday night, the Springboks icon introduced himself to the Irish, once again, with a cameo that spoke to all his qualities of a 147 Test matches for the Springboks.

The Sharks won 26-20, with the only disappointment being that they allowed Leinster a five pointer – and losing bonus point – after the hooter.

For Leinster, outplayed at 10 Bet Ellis Park a week ago, it was a golden point because they got two league points against the Lions in scoring a fourth try and a losing bonus point.

Champion teams feed on scraps and the three from 10 potential league points for Leinster could prove decisive when deciding the home play-offs six months from now.

Both the Sharks and Lions will be annoyed they let Leinster leave South Africa with those league points.

Leinster, in Johannesburg, fielded a youthful match 23, but in Durban they started with 10 Irish Test internationals and had plenty of experience on the bench.

Kudos to the Sharks for getting a second successive five league points against a squad of this quality.

The Sharks win was the most impressive of the South African quartet, who won two from four this weekend to go with their four from four in last weekend’s first round.

Andre Esterhuizen was big as captain and inside centre. Props Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch and replacement prop Ox Nche were imposing. Edwill van der Merwe had a big game on the right wing and Phepsi Buthelezi was present and influential.

Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf was consistent and flyhalf Vusi Moyo showed his potential.

Etzebeth made his 25 minutes count.

He was colossal in everything he did. More of that please.

In Johannesburg the Lions made it two from two in dismantling the Ospreys in the opening quarter of the second half.

There were big performances from captain and No 8 Francke Horn, flyhalf Chris Smith and wingers Erich Cronjé and Kelly Mpeku, who combined for three of the Lions six tries.

The Lions won 35-19, scoring six tries to three.

Munster beat the Bulls 26-22 in Limerick and it is not a result to be disputed. The Bulls, 17-14 ahead after 50 minutes, were also second best in the last 30.

Even when they got to within a try with five minutes to play, courtesy of their best player Jeandré Rudolph , there was never a belief that the visitors would win.

The Bulls, with six league points from a possible 10 away league points, will take comfort from their start to the United Rugby Championship.

Equally the Stormers.

Their lineout was a shambles in the 17-13 defeat against Edinburgh in Edinburgh, but they come home to play the Sharks in Cape Town with six league points from 10 on the road.

And that is gold in a league where platinum, 10 away league points from 10, is a rarity.

All the SA match highlights, courtesy of the URC.

SA Rugby Magazine reports on every South African match.

How Keo & Zels called the South African URC matches.