Being bolstered by the return of four Springboks in Eben Etzebeth, Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am, and Aphelele Fassi, the Hollywoodbets Sharks edged Edinburgh Rugby 18-17 in a fast and brutal encounter that was only decided after time was up on the clock.
Sharks open the scoring with a converted penalty by Jordan Hendrikse courtesy of Andre Esterhuizen's work in the loose.
Thereafter, it was Edinburgh that dominated, launching wave after wave of attacks on the Sharks' tryline. After eleven minutes of play, Edinburgh spread the ball wide and, with brilliant handling, put winger James Lang in space to score Edinburgh's first points.
Following sixteen minutes of arm wrestling, Edinburgh once again showed the danger of their speedsters out wide and brilliant interplay by forwards and backs, when flanker Jamie Ritchie stormed down the touchline to score their second try, extending their lead to 10-03.
Jordan Hendrikse cut Edinburgh's lead to four points with his second penalty. Edinburgh led the Sharks 10-06 at the halftime break.
The Sharks started the second half like a house on fire, and Aphelele Fassie scored an easy try following the brilliant work of Lukhanyo Am, cutting the defence of Edinburgh to pieces. Jordan Hendrikse converted to put the Sharks 13-10 in the lead for the first time in the match.
Following a yellow card to Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth and Sam Skinner were also sent off for ten minutes. Edinburgh took a tap from the resulting penalty, whereafter Ewan Ashman bulldozed his way over for Edinburgh's third try. Ross Thompson converted to put Edinburgh back in the lead by 17-13, and twenty-four minutes to play.
The next twenty minutes were incredibly fast and brutal, and despite Edinburgh "dominating", no points were scored. However, with time up on the clock, Makazole Mapimpi scored in the corner to secure an 18-17 win.
Scorers:
Edinburgh Rugby: Tries: James Lang, Jamie Ritchie, Ewan Ashman. Conversion: Ross Thompson.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Aphelele Fassie, Makazole Mapimpi. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse. Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Teams:
Edinburgh Rugby: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Harry Paterson, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8. Magnus Bradbury, 7 Ben Muncaster, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassie, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.