Aphelele Fassi stole the show by scoring a try and setting up another to steer the Sharks to a gritty victory over Edinburgh in Durban on Saturday.
Tries from Fassi and captain Lukhanyo Am saw the Sharks climb off the bottom of the table by beating Edinburgh 23-13 at Kings Park.
It was the first time this season that the Sharks have claimed back-to-back wins in the Vodacom URC, with John Plumtree’s side finally starting to gain some momentum in the competition.
That momentum could be vital as the Sharks now turn their attention to the Challenge Cup, where they will host Italian side Zebre in the round of 16.
The Sharks will, however, be nervously awaiting news on Eben Etzebeth, after the Springbok lock was forced off at half-time with what appeared to be a rib injury.
In humid conditions that appeared to make the ball a bar of soap, the Sharks struggled to turn their dominance into points. Despite the home side seeing all the ball and camping in Edinburgh’s half, the game was scoreless in the opening 20 minutes.
That was until Fassi got himself into the game. The fullback, who was held up over the line early on, sparked a frustrated crowd to life with a moment of brilliance, running from inside his own half to score the game’s opening try.
A reminder not to challenge Aphelele Fassi in an egg & spoon race at Easter 🐣🥄💨
No. 1 at most metres made this season pre-R13 (828 metres) 🫳🎤#BKTURC #URC | #SHAvEDI pic.twitter.com/NPS51OL5FB
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 30, 2024
Fassi was at it again in the second half, after the Sharks took a 7-3 lead into the break. Receiving the ball after running an excellent line around the corner of the breakdown, he quickly popped it to Am, who did superbly to bounce Duhan van der Merwe en route to scoring in the corner.
Not even Duhan van der Merwe could stop Lukhanyo Am at that distance 🤯@SharksRugby‘s outside-centre outrageous one handed catch 😍#BKTURC #URC | #SHAvEDI pic.twitter.com/VgFwFzj0bv
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 30, 2024
While the Sharks had to scrap through the rest of the game, they put the result beyond doubt when Phepsi Buthelezi forced his way over the tryline with three minutes to go. Edinburgh did grab a consolation try when South African-born prop Boan Venter reached to score after the hooter.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/INPHO/Shutterstock