Eben enjoys dream Sharks debut
MATCH REPORT: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth kicked off his Sharks career in fine fashion, helping the Durban franchise record a 40-12 win over Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.
Etzebeth dominated the line-outs, made a few strong carries and put in a big defensive display during the Sharks’ bonus-point win at Kings Park.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
The Shark outscored the visitors five tries to two.
Tom Gordon scored once in each half for the Warriors, but Tom Jordan’s conversion of the first represented their only other points in the match.
Sharks wing Anthony Volmink also registered a brace, while Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi stepped off the bench to go over on the hour and Aphele Fassi added the bonus-point try.
Boeta Chamberlain was heavily involved for the home side and kicked 15 points while also providing the cross-kick that teed up Werner Kok to add some late gloss.
The Sharks handed debuts to World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth and fellow close-season arrival Vincent Tshituka, while their star-studded bench featured Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche.
Chamberlain kicked the hosts in front after 13 minutes, but it was Glasgow – in the absence of head coach Franco Smith due to visa delays – who claimed the game’s first try, with Gordon carving a route through the Sharks defence to touch down next to the posts. Jordan added a simple conversion before another Chamberlain penalty reduced the gap to a single point.
Jordan sent his next effort from the tee off target, but he was given something of a let-off when Chamberlain was similarly wasteful from his next attempt.
Chamberlain atoned for his miss when he exploited a gap in the Glasgow defence before setting up Volmink to go over and adding the extras.
Gordon emerged from a maul to touch down early in the second half, but Jordan was again wayward with the follow-up.
Kolisi and Mbonambi were among a group of replacements sent on after 50 minutes and the Sharks immediately re-established a cushion, showing fantastic hands to get the ball out to Volmink, who raced down the left wing to score.
Chamberlain – again involved in the build-up – failed with the conversion but added a subsequent penalty to make it 21-12 to the hosts.
Mbonambi then touched down at the back of a driving maul before Fassi went over to wrap up the bonus point, with Chamberlain converting both.
Chamberlain capped a strong individual performance by finding Kok with a cross-kick for a late try, although the conversion bounced back off a post.
Man of the Match
Debutant Etzebeth was a world-class presence at the set-piece for the Sharks and made himself known to the Warriors with some big hits.
His overall performance earned him the individual honour.
Play of the match
The sleight of hand that saw the ball travel from Jaden Hendrikse to Nche, Chamberlain and Fassi before Volmink crossed for his second try certainly caught the eye.
But Chamberlain – involved in a lot of what was good about the Sharks – also deserves a mention for the cross-kick that set up Kok late on.
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The scorers:
For Sharks
Tries: Volmink 2, Mbonambi, Fassi, Kok
Cons: Chamberlain 3
Pen: Chamberlain 3
For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Gordon 2
Con: Jordan
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Henry Chamberlain, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews,4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Cameron Wright, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
Glasgow: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Josh McKay, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Thomas Gordon, 6 Scott Cummings, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Murphy Walker, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Gregor Brown, 22 George Horne, 23 Ross Thompson.
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Source: URC
