The Hollywoodbets Sharks turned up the power in the second half to pummel Edinburgh and book their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup semifinals with a 36-30 victory.
Edinburgh led 16-14 in the first half, and managed to keep up the arm wrestle with the Durban side, but the power that came through in the second half, especially up front, was enough for the Sharks to pull away and win comfortably in the end.
The victory was actually a lot more comfortable for John Plumtree’s side as Edinburgh scored two late tries to make the scoreline look a lot more respectable.
The Sharks are now one step closer to their goal of winning silverware and getting automatic qualification for the Investec Champions Cup next season.
They will now face the winner between Ulster and Clermont in their semifinal, which will take place away from home in Europe.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks make history at King's Park 📚
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 13, 2024
Plumtree's men are the first South African team into any European semi-final as they beat Edinburgh 🦈#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/pBomPBdJmn
FORWARD POWER
The combination of the forward power, with several World Cup- winning Boks propelling them forward, and Siya Masuku playing an exceptional role as playmaker was all that was needed as the Sharks certainly underlined they had turned the corner after a poor start to the season.
Masuku’s growth in the role has coincided with the turnaround in the season and it was no surprise that he received the man of the match award.
Masuku missed a sitter as his opening kick, but after that never looked back as he scored 18 points, but it was his ability to get the best out of his backline that made all the difference.
But he wasn’t alone - although it was easy to guess the other standout players as the World Cup winners shone through - from Bongi Mbonambi to Eben Etzebeth to the backline duo of captain Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi, there was class all around.
Young Ethan Hooker continued to impress in the midfield and again underlined what a fine talent for the future he is.
EARLY EDINBURGH LEAD
Edinburgh stormed to an early 6-0 lead, capitalising on a number of repeated errors by the Sharks that cost them penalties.
But the Sharks hit back hard, and in fine style, as a turnover ball was moved wide to Mapimpi, who darted down the touchline, then chipped over the defence and collected and at the perfect moment put the pass away inside to Am to complete a perfect counter attack.
HT | ⚫ SHA 14-16 EDI ⚪
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 13, 2024
Things are tight in Durban but how good is this try by Lukhanyo Am? 🤩
📺 Stream #ChallengeCupRugby live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/LZtiI0Ppt2
The second try from the Sharks was just as impressive as Masuku also chipped over the defence, with Aphelele Fassi collecting, and the recycled ball going through the hands to Etzebeth, who delayed his offload to the perfect time for James Venter to go in at the corner.
But the penalties that were starting to count against the Sharks eventually took a toll.
Etzebeth was pinned as the unlucky player when he hit the lineout jumper early and received his marching orders in a team repeated infringements call by referee Matthew Carley.
COSTLY SINBIN
While Etzebeth was in the sinbin, Edinburgh pounced, first with Pierre Schoeman twisting out of Ox Nche’s tackle to score and then on the stroke of halftime a penalty by Ben Healy giving them a 16-14 lead at the break.
The Sharks would have been frustrated at the scoreline, especially as they were their own worst enemies, but showed much more resolve in the second half as they took control of the game.
Nche and Vincent Koch started to win scrum penalties, giving them the perfect platform and the Sharks' forwards started to assert their dominance up front.
Masuki added two penalties to get them back in front before a monster rolling maul saw Mbonambi burst out between two defenders to swallow dive over for the try.
Masuku added two more penalties to balloon the scoreline to 33-16 and the Sharks had the game in the bag.
LATE FIGHTBACK
But credit to Edinburgh, who fought back exceptionally well, first for Hamish Watson to go over and then just before the end Dave Cherry went over at the back of a rolling maul to make the scoreline a lot more respectable.
Still, this was a day for the Sharks, and slowly they are starting to show glimpses of the superpower they can be.
The second half was the perfect step forward for Plumtree and his charges.
SCORERS
HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS - tries: Lukhanyo Am, James Venter, Bongi Mbonambi. Conversions: Siya Masuku (3). Penalties: Masuku (4).
EDINBURGH RUGBY - tries: Pierre Schoeman, Hamish Watson, Dave Cherry. Conversions: Ben Healy (3). Penalties: Healy (3)