Shaun Goosen looks back on the weekend's rugby action which saw the Sharks slip up against Edinburgh, wins for the rest of SA's URC franchises and Leicester down Exeter.
Sharks cop first SA URC loss
The Sharks’ poor performances in the URC finally caught up to them when they were soundly beaten 5-21 by Edinburgh at a rain-soaked Hollywoodbets Kings Park. The hosts failed to make a number of opportunities count and weren’t helped by several disappointing displays from a number of key individuals. The result means the Durbanites fall from sixth to eighth on the standings, with Saturday’s game marking the first European victory on South Africa soil in the competition.
While the temporary departure of Lukhanyo Am has certainly left a void in the side, the reality is that things just aren’t clicking for the men in black and white, despite their relatively high placing on the log. The Sharks are stacked full of quality players, and the lack of direction and a cutting edge in their backline is deeply worrying; especially off the superb performances of their scrum and maul.
.@eboffelli unleashes inner puma 🐆#URC | @EdinburghRugby | #SHAvEDI pic.twitter.com/JYBOMFwaqZ
— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 26, 2022
More wins for Lions, Stormers and Bulls
Saturday also saw the Stormers claim a fantastic 23-20 win over Ulster in Cape Town and the Bulls pump the Dragons 55-20 in Pretoria. These results have seen them leapfrog the Sharks, with the Stormers now sixth and the Bulls occupying seventh. Both teams seem to be clicking at just the right time, with the Cape side in particular looking like a real force, thanks in large part to the sterling performances of Warrick Gelant at the back.
The Lions also bagged a great win, their third in a row, in their 45-15 thrashing of Ospreys in Johannesburg on Friday. Cash van Rooyen’s men have improved markedly since their South African derbies and should keep climbing the ladder considering the form they’re in.
In other URC results, Munster beat Benetton 51-22 at Thomond Park, Scarlets won 41-24 over Zebre in Parma, Cardiff pipped Glasgow 32-28 in the Welsh capital and ill-disciplined Connacht fell 8-45 to Leinster in Galway.
Sublime passing accuracy from @THESTORMERS 🎯
— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 26, 2022
Mannie Libbok’s beautiful flighted pass is next level 🤩#URC | #STOvULS pic.twitter.com/yLv9EDRqXa
Tigers win Prem grudge match
Leicester extended their lead at the summit of the Gallagher Premiership standings thanks to a crucial 22-17 win over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. With the return of the Six Nations internationals, the game was also set to be a mammoth encounter and it lived up to its billing. In the end though, the hosts were too strong and now hold a 12-point advantage at the summit of the Prem.
Elsewhere, Wasps beat Newcastle 27-24 at the Ricoh, Bath and Sale drew 24-24 at The Rec, Irish fell to Northampton 22-42 at the Brentford Stadium and Saracens saw off Bristol 27-22 at the StoneX.
Back with a bang 💥@freddiesteward_ scored on his return for @LeicesterTigers to help them qualify for the #GallagherPrem semi-finals 💪
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 28, 2022
You can watch all the highlights from R21 on the @itvhub now 📺 pic.twitter.com/7uDDy3agNU
Am assists in League One debut
Playing in his debut game for the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan Rugby League One, Lukhanyo Am produced a moment of silky skill to set up a teammate in his side’s 35-46 loss to the Brave Lupus at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Sunday.
It didn't take Lukhanyo Am long to start doing Lukhanyo Am things in his #JRLO debut 🔥
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 28, 2022
His first try assist with Hayden Parker 👇 pic.twitter.com/SWaFFr5ltY
Gelant does it again for Stormers
World Cup winner Warrick Gelant has been one of the best players in the URC this season, seemingly wanting to make up for the time he spent on the sidelines last year. The Stormers fullback set up his side’s first try in the 23-30 win over Ulster in the Cape on Saturday with a try straight out of the Sonny Bill playbook. World-class play.
.@TheStormers giving @UlsterRugby no time to settle 💥@Vodacom #URC | #STOvULS pic.twitter.com/mc53x872kE
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 26, 2022
Etzebeth flexes for Toulon
Sharks-bound Eben Etzebeth showed enormous power to force his way over for a score in Toulon’s 32-22 Top 14 win over Clermont at the Stade Mayol on Saturday. With the big man set to earn his 100th Test match against Wales in June, Bok fans will be hoping he can maintain this kind of form until then.
An impressive finish from Eben Etzebeth against Clermont #TOP14 #SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/B9H2SNxpSp
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 28, 2022
Arendse steps Dragons silly
Bulls fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse produced an awesome piece of skill on Saturday that harks back to his time with the Blitzboks. During the Bulls’ rampant 55-20 defeat of the Dragons in Pretoria, he channeled his inner Cheslin Kolbe and totally bamboozled the Welsh side’s defence.
Come for the try, stay for the filthy Kurt-Lee Arendse step 😮💨@Vodacom #URC | @BlueBullsRugby | #BULvDRA pic.twitter.com/KqG7l8Upi0
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 26, 2022
Sebastián Cancelliere bags Belter for the Warriors
Argentina winger Sebastián Cancelliere scored this URC try of the season contender in his Glasgow side’s 28-32 loss to Cardiff in the Welsh capital on Saturday.
Has Sebastián Cancelliere scored the try of the season? 👀@Vodacom #URC | @GlasgowWarriors | #CARvGLA pic.twitter.com/0IJr5miwUX
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 26, 2022
