Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi scored a late try to hand the Sharks a comeback win over Edinburgh at the DAM Health Stadium.
The Sharks picked up a vital win in the race for the United Rugby Championship (URC) top four, beating Edinburgh 18-17 away.
Edinburgh Quicker Out of Blocks
The Sharks opened the scoring with a Jordan Hendrikse penalty in the third minute. However, it was Edinburgh who scored the first try of the game as James Lang went over in the 11th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for John Plumtree’s men as Jamie Ritchie scored Edinburgh’s second try in the 27th minute. However, both of the hosts’ conversions were missed, and after another Jordan Hendrikse penalty in the 38th minute, the Sharks went into the break only 10-6 behind.
Sharks Win Feisty Second Half
In the 41st minute, Aphelele Fassi went over to put the Sharks back in front, and Jordan Hendrikse successfully converted the visitors’ first try of the game. This is when the encounter began to get particularly heated. Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth and Sam Skinner were all handed yellow cards within the space of a minute. The back-and-forth between Etzebeth and Skinner continued even as they made their way off the field.
In the 47th minute, Ewan Ashman made his way over for an Edinburgh try. This time, Ross Thompson converted.
Edinburgh held on until the dying moments of the game, when Makazole Mapimpi caught a floated pass to make his way over near the corner following a lengthy build-up. There was a bit of confrontation as he celebrated the try and then again between the teams in the post-match handshakes.
Ultimately, the intensity of the match made it a win for the URC as a whole. The Sharks moved to 49 points from 15 games. If they secure 11 in their last three, they are guaranteed a top-four spot, which would give them a home quarter-final. Edinburgh remain right in the thick of a battle for a quarter-final berth.
The Sharks will next face Ulster away from home on 26 April before home matches to finish the regular season against the Ospreys and Scarlets.
Conclusion: Lessons for Sharks Ahead of URC Crunch Time
The Sharks showed the grit and resilience needed for knockout rugby in their comeback win over Edinburgh. Makazole Mapimpi’s late try sealed the deal, but it should not have come down to the final minutes. The Durban side must tighten up its game management. They cannot afford to let teams back in as they did here.
Edinburgh exposed lapses in defence and discipline. These are warning signs as the Sharks eye a top-four finish and a home quarter-final. Against stronger opposition, such mistakes could prove costly. The basics need to be sharper. The execution must be cleaner. There is no room for error in the playoffs.
Still, this was a gutsy win in difficult conditions. The Sharks kept their composure and fought to the end. Players stood up when it mattered most. It was not pretty, but it showed character.
If the Sharks want to go deep in the URC, they must pair this fight with focus. The knockout rounds will demand more precision and consistency. The win in Edinburgh was a step forward. Now, they need to build on it.
With three games left, the Sharks are in control of their fate. They must stay sharp, stay hungry, and finish strong. John Plumtree’s men need to ensure that they keep their togetherness and treat all of their doubters as they did Edinburgh in the last few minutes. If they manage to play to their full potential, it would take a brave online sports betting enthusiast to count them out.
