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Springbok's hat-trick sees Sharks go top in URC South African Shield

22 Jan 2022

South Africa's Makazole Mapimpi has come from nowhere to World Cup fame in the space of 16 months (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Makazole Mapimpi scored a hat-trick of tries as the Sharks climbed to the top of the United Rugby Championship’s South African Shield with a thrilling 47-37 win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

Sean Everitt’s men fought back from conceding two early tries to emerge with a victory that sees them replace their hosts at the summit after six matches.

Andre Warner and Wandisile Simelane touched down inside the opening nine minutes, but the Sharks responded through Aphelele Fassi, Mapimpi (two) and Kerron Van Vuuren to reach half-time at 27-18 up and with a bonus point already in the bag.

Ruan Pienaar unpacks the South African teams’prospects in the URC

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Ruan Pienaar unpacks the South African teams’prospects in the URC

Makazole Mapimpi bags a hat-trick as the Sharks beat the Lions 47-37 in a Vodacom #URC tryfest which saw 11 tries scored. pic.twitter.com/1CTA6UtGs3
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) January 22, 2022

Ruben Schoeman, Edwill Van Der Merwe and Morne Van Den Berg crossed for the Lions as they secured a bonus point of their own in the second half, but Mapimpi also completed his hat-trick and Lukhanyo Am went over late on to secure victory.

Boeta Chamberlain kicked 12 points and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla booted five for the Sharks, while Lions fly-half Fred Zeilinga contributed 10 to his side’s cause and Tiaan Swanepoel scored a solitary conversion.

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Comments on RugbyPass

fl 2 minutes ago

World Rugby clarify Springboks' controversial kick-off gambit

We do all know why: it is to make the game flow better. I don’t particularly agree with this, because I like scrums.

In this instance it seems you support changing the rules, in order to allow more scrums. This would be bad, not just because it would mean changing the rules purely in order to permit one coach’s tactical “innovation”, but also because it literally just amounts to delaying the start of the game. When SA played Italy, literally nothing happened for the first 60 seconds of the match - no one should want that to become the norm.

“Deliberate infringement of the rules is something that happens multiple times per game, especially when Richie McCaw was playing, why no statements from WR then?”

Deliberate infringements are incredibly difficult to prove, in this case it was extremely easy.

85 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 6 minutes ago

All Blacks squeeze past France to sweep July series in Hamilton

Not convinced by crash in the midfield as the “standard” requirement. Lions have a better functioning backline without that tactic being dominant. Jordie is strong enough to take a hit and off-load (a la Bundee and Tuipulotu) but also adds a wider range there with a tactical boot and both Barretts (in the backs) have a good long pass. The Lions are playing with depth, layers and an accurate kicking game - something we are still not achieving. Our kicks are often not contestable, give possession away or lack tactical goals (other than we have exhausted ourselves so lets hoof it). Beaudie has played a better kicking game this series and kept France in their own half more but our “air” game has not been great (receiving kick-offs, contesting the high ball, receiving opposition kicks).

90 Go to comments

fl 7 minutes ago

Rassie Erasmus names 54-man Springboks squad with 9 uncapped players

I don’t see how. SA had a great year in the u20s this season. It bodes well for them going forwards, but doesn’t really negate anything I said.

38 Go to comments

Mr Easy 22 minutes ago

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Finn's post match interviews with O'Gara and Bigger are absolutely top class, such a refreshing change to the standard anodyne ‘gameoftwohalves’ ‘lefteverythingoutthere’ media coached answers. Well worth sticking around on the broadcast to see, great job Finn.

1 Go to comments

Tom 23 minutes ago

George Ford gives his verdict on England teammates after clean sweep

10s/12s/13s who have ever played inside or outside Farrell for England have all looked rubbish. It's no coincidence that we haven't had a decent centre combination for a very long time.

As a 10 you're playing with a bloke outside you who's going to immediately kick the ball as soon as you give him possession, doesn't crash it up, can't run an incisive line and tries to run the game from 12 regularly stepping in at first receiver.

As a centre outside Farrell you're never getting passed the ball and when you do it'll be shipped on to you in a sorry state because he plays so deep and doesn't fix defenders because he has no running game.

Ford would have had a far better England career if he didn't have the spectre of Owen Farrell looming over him and he’d been allowed to run the show his own way, he's a far better player. Farrell coming back to England is going to do no favours for Fin Smith either. He'll end up with Faz at 10 pulling the strings and forcing him to play a game which doesn't suit him.

2 Go to comments

Dikhedd 47 minutes ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

You obviously haven’t factored into the equation the result of Argentina beating NZ twice.

44 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

how is it flawed?

Hard mode: try respond with an argument that isn’t just an emotional screed

44 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

You’ve literally posted 6 moaning comments on this post today. I have no idea why you are so emotional.

44 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

Yeah I guess, but that will only matter for a couple of weeks.

44 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

rankings are published once a week, and several teams (including NZ - twice) have been at the top of the log for just one week.

Overall though, NZ have been ranked first for 743 weeks, and were once ranked first for 509 consecutive weeks. Its extremely unlikely they’ll ever be overtaken for either of those records.

44 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

There it is, the hurty wurty feels 🤣🤣🤣

44 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

Well, you started the name calling little man. No need to play the victim card now.

44 Go to comments

PB 2 hours ago

Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

Little man would be that little mini weenie, assuming you have one at all