It took nearly 87 minutes but a courageous effort from the Cell C Sharks led to a 22-19 Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over Edinburgh on Saturday evening.
Edinburgh could not benefit from the litany of penalties towards the end when they were chasing the game, but a decidedly brave defensive effort from the Cell C Sharks, led by James Venter who made an incredible 27 tackles, with Man of the Match Aphelele Fassi making a number of try saving tackles himself, demonstrating the team’s character to run out deserved victors.
Edinburgh’s 4g pitch, like all the artificial turf grounds, provides the ideal surface to play a high-paces game and both sides revelled in the conditions, delivering a nail-biting six try thriller.
An early intercept try for the speedster scrumhalf Grant Williams and the resultant conversion for Curwin Bosch knocked the wind from the sails of the home side and although they tried to fight back, the Cell C Sharks’ menacing and determined defence continually sent Edinburgh back further and further as they found matters not going their own way.
A lovely Ox Nche break outside along the traffic got his team into a strong position before Edinburgh lost a player to the sin-bin for cynical play trying to defend the tryline. The ensuing attack was persistent and finally paid off, the ball going wide and Marnus Potgieter continuing his try-scoring exploits with his team’s second try, Bosch converted and the lead was 14-nil at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Edinburgh had to work tirelessly for their first score, a good offloading game setting up a half hour try and then they brought themselves right back into the game with a 50-22 kick that set up a strong attacking position to maul the ball over from lineout ball just shy of the half-time whistle. The successful conversion levelled matters at 14-all and then a minute later they had scored their third try, a good Cell C Sharks effort breaking down and Edinburgh countering from deep inside their own half to take the lead for the first time in the game, to take a 19-14 lead into the break.
An early penalty for Curwin Bosch cut the lead to two points after an Ox Nche inspired counter effort, the Cell C Sharks prop in irrepressible form and making his considerable presence felt.
As the game hit the final quarter, the Cell C Sharks retook the lead, Kerron van Vuuren working his way over the try with a powerful drive that was referred to the TMO before being confirmed.
Both sides threw everything into the final quarter, Edinburgh sensing the opportunity to strike back and gaining umpteen opportunities, could not break the back of some heroic Cell C Sharks defence.
The win takes them back into the top eight and deservedly so.