Substitute free ahead Henri van Eeden scored a last-minute attempt to give Shimlas a primary win in seven years over the defending champions NWU Eagles at Shimla Park.
The victory for Shimlas sees them leap to the highest of the desk whereas handing the Eagles their first defeat of the season as they claimed a hard-fought 35-26 win in Bloemfontein on Monday evening.
The primary half belonged to the hosts, who acquired off to a quick begin with skipper and lock Pierre Uys crossing the whitewash in simply the eighth minute. Tries from Kwezi Dlamini and Siya Ningiza adopted as they opened up a 21-0 lead.
The Eagles lastly acquired onto the scoreboard shortly earlier than the break, by way of hooker Chyle van Zyl, off the again of the rolling maul, because the guests had lots to do within the second forty.
The second half was a a lot tighter affair with the Eagles beginning to come into the sport an increasing number of. Prop Ntobeko Shezi crashed over to shut the hole to 9 factors as they trailed 21-12 getting into the ultimate quarter.
Winger Siviwe Zondani claimed the bonus level attempt for the hosts, however the Eagles wouldn’t go away. Substitute scrumhalf Mpho Kubheka darted over minutes later with the sport hanging on a knife edge.
Shaun Baxter made it a tied recreation at 26-26 when he went over with simply 4 minutes left to play, however van Eeden would spoil the comeback as he ran from his personal half to attain some extent of origin attempt to break Eagles’ hearts.
Shimlas will look to make it three wins on the trot once they host struggling UWC, whereas NWU will attempt to bounce again at house towards Wits subsequent Monday.
Picture: Hannes Naude
