Eben Aims Higher In URC Table As Mapimpi Breaks Record

Hollywoodbets Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth acknowledged that their last-minute victory against Edinburgh in Friday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash might have felt like a steal, but emphasized their ambition to climb higher in the league table.

With the clock ticking down in their 15th-round URC encounter at DAM Health Stadium, a moment of brilliance unfolded.

Flyhalf Siya Masuku spotted the two-time World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi out wide and delivered a superb assist, allowing Mapimpi to dive over for the match-winning try, securing a crucial 18-17 victory for the Durbanites.

Edinburgh largely dominated the game from start to finish. However, centre Andre Esterhuizen proved to be a colossus for the Sharks, playing a pivotal role in their hard-fought win.

The Sharks, already out of the Challenge Cup, received a significant boost with the return of several Springboks – Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am, and Etzebeth – all of whom had been sidelined for months with injuries.

Edinburgh maintained relentless pressure, but Esterhuizen’s impressive physicality repeatedly thwarted their advances. He frequently won turnover penalties, relieving pressure on his team and shifting it back onto Edinburgh.

The Sharks could have secured a more comfortable victory, but flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse missed two penalties that could have proved significant in the context of the game.

Despite these missed kicks, the Sharks managed to clinch the win and maintained their fourth position in the table, a spot that would be sufficient to qualify for the playoffs.

However, Etzebeth, who was returning from an injury sustained in December and remains undefeated when playing for the Sharks, seemed unsatisfied with their current standing.

“Obviously, we are almost guaranteed a quarter-final spot, but we still want to climb the ladder,” Etzebeth stated in a Premier Sports interview after the match.

“But of course, a few other results need to go our way – Glasgow Warriors [the defending champions] and the Blue Bulls, and Leinster are obviously out of reach now.

“But we will take it game by game, trying to build some momentum heading into the playoffs.”

Leinster, currently topping the table, had previously defeated a much-changed Sharks side in Durban, as the Irish team had their focus firmly set on the Investec Champions Cup.

Mapimpi’s try was particularly significant as it allowed him to surpass JP Pietersen’s Sharks try-scoring record. His match-winner on Friday night marked his 40th try in 88 top-flight appearances for the Sharks, eclipsing Pietersen’s tally of 39 tries in 137 Super Rugby games.

“The game was tough for us,” admitted Mapimpi on Premier Sports.

“I think we made a lot of mistakes, and there was a bit of frustration, but the communication was very good.”

Fassi, making his return from injury, appeared to have picked up a foot knock and acknowledged the difficulty of the match for the Springbok-laden Sharks team.

“We knew coming to Scotland that Edinburgh was going to be tough. They are a side that prides themselves on physicality and being clinical. I think in the first half, we weren’t as clinical as we wanted to be.

“Obviously, the chat in the dressing room was to come out and score first to put pressure on them. I think we did that in the first 10 minutes, and then we kind of slacked off.”

The Sharks saw two Springbok legends, Am and Etzebeth, each serve 10 minutes in the sin bin after receiving yellow cards, but this did not prevent them from ultimately winning the game.

“Our discipline was one thing that was lacking on Friday and obviously kept Edinburgh in the game,” Fassi continued.

“Luckily, the boys fought for the entire 80 minutes, and we were able to get four valuable points from this game.”