Eben Etzebeth Sparks Sharks to 26-20 Win Over Champions Leinster in Durban
- Eben Etzebeth came off the bench at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on 3 October 2026 in his first meaningful URC appearance in over a season
- The Sharks faced a Leinster side that started with 10 Irish Test internationals and experience throughout their bench
- All four South African URC sides sit in the top eight after two rounds, with the Sharks leading the standings
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Eben Etzebeth marked his return to competitive rugby with an influential cameo as the Hollywoodbets Sharks defeated Leinster 26-20 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, 3 October 2026, to claim five league points in Round 2 of the United Rugby Championship.
The Springbok lock had managed just one appearance for the Sharks last season due to a combination of concussion and suspension. Coming off the bench, Etzebeth played approximately 25 minutes and left a commanding impression across every phase of play, drawing on the experience of 147 Test caps for South Africa.
Sharks hold off Leinster comeback
The result was not without its blemishes. Leinster scored after the final hooter to claim a five-point try and a losing bonus point, giving the Irish champions two league points from the fixture. Leinster had also secured a losing bonus point at 10bet Ellis Park a week earlier, and those accumulative scraps could carry significant weight when home play-off positions are determined at the end of the season.
For the Sharks, captain and inside centre André Esterhuizen delivered a forceful display, while props Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch and replacement Ox Nche provided a sturdy foundation up front.
Edwill van der Merwe was prominent on the right wing, Phepsi Buthelezi was influential around the park, and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was composed throughout. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo also caught the eye with a performance that suggested considerable promise.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Leinster, who had fielded a largely inexperienced squad against the Lions the previous week, started with 10 Test internationals in Durban and offered a far sterner challenge.
Watch the clip below on X.
SA teams dominate URC early standings
Elsewhere in Round 2, the Lions recorded a convincing 35-19 victory over the Ospreys in Johannesburg, crossing for six tries. Captain Francke Horn at number eight, flyhalf Chris Smith, and wingers Erich Cronjé and Kelly Mpeku were among the standout performers, combining for three of the Lions' tries.
In Limerick, Munster beat the Bulls 26-22. The Bulls led 17-14 after 50 minutes but could not hold on, with Jeandré Rudolph identified as their best performer on the night.
The Stormers fell 17-13 to Edinburgh in Scotland, with their lineout proving problematic, but they head home to Cape Town with six league points from two away fixtures, a solid return at this stage of the competition.
All four South African franchises sit inside the URC's top eight after two rounds, with the Sharks leading the overall standings.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
