Eben Etzebeth was the standout player on the day, but the Lions struck late in the second half to snatch a dramatic 20-18 win over the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park.
What a comeback by the Lions. What an absolutely implosion by the Sharks.
There was action, drama, dominance, self-destruct, self-discipline, suspense and ultimately heartbreak and elation in this thrilling South African derby, which saw the Lions overturn a mammoth 18-3 deficit at the Shark Tank in Durban.
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Sharks replacement kicker Boeta Chamberlain missed a last-gasp match-deciding penalty as the Sharks slumped to an agonising two-point defeat to the Lions.
Marius Louw’s late try – converted by Sanele Nohamba – edged the Lions ahead but, with the clock entering the red, the Sharks were awarded a penalty but Chamberlain could not take the chance.
That bit of action followed shortly after Sanele Nohamba’s all-important touchline conversion from Marius Louw’s late try, edged the Lions ahead. But with the clock entering the red, the Sharks were awarded a penalty but Chamberlain failed to turn the opportunity into three match-winning points.
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Springboks Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams crossed in the first half, with Curwin Bosch kicking eight points as the Sharks went into the interval 18-3 up. But the hosts were kept scoreless in the second half and ultimately paid the price for their inability to both add to their tally and defensive failure to curb the Lions’ attack.
And yet, despite his teammates struggles, Eben Etzebeth stood head and shoulders above every other player on the field. He put in another superb shift for his team which earned him the official Man of the Match award.
The defeat leaves the Sharks rooted to the foot of the table while the Lions climbed into 11th spot.
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