Dramatic URC round-up: South African teams secure hard-fought victories

South African teams had a dramatic weekend in the United Rugby Championship (URC), with the Stormers, Bulls, and Sharks all delivering matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Stormers climbed into a URC play-off spot after a 29-17 bonus-point win over the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday. Starting in 12th spot on the log before the match, the Cape side moved to seventh before settling in eighth after the Ospreys narrowly beat Connacht 43-40.

A late defensive effort sealed the win, with fullback Warrick Gelant making a crucial turnover as the Scarlets threatened to take the lead with five minutes left. 

Gelant also shone in attack during the contest, playing a key role in the Stormers’ four tries, including a stunning setup for Deon Fourie. Despite the victory, coach John Dobson lamented the high penalty count and the fact that they needed the last-minute heroics to nail down the victory.

Ice Cold Kriel Boosts Bulls

Back on home soil, the Bulls delivered a jaw-dropping finish to their URC clash against Leinster at Loftus Versfeld, with centre David Kriel emerging as the hero on the night. 

Kriel’s ice-cold penalty kick after the final hooter secured a 21-20 victory, snapping Leinster's stunning 12-match unbeaten streak. This dramatic win propelled the Pretoria side to third on the log with 45 points, narrowly edging out the Sharks who also laboured to their win in Durban.

The game in Pretoria though had all the makings of a comeback thriller. 

Trailing 17-6 after a disjointed first half filled with errors and missed opportunities, the Bulls faced a seemingly insurmountable task when Leinster's Andrew Osborne scored early in the second half. But the home team refused to bow out, rallying through impactful substitutions and a shift to a more direct playing style.

A penalty try and a maul-driven effort from Johan Grobbelaar reignited hope, giving the Bulls an 18-17 edge late in the match. However, disaster struck when Sebastian de Klerk was red-carded, allowing Leinster's Byrne to regain a slim 20-18 lead.

With everything on the line, the Bulls' scrum came up clutch in the dying moments, earning a penalty that set the stage for Kriel's match-winning kick at the death.

Sloppy Sharks almost let it slip

Meanwhile, John Plumtree voiced his frustration on Saturday evening after the Sharks narrowly edged out Zebre with a 35-34 win in Durban. Despite facing a team sitting in 15th place on the United Rugby Championship table, the Sharks struggled to assert themselves, turning what should have been a straightforward game into a tense battle.

Plumtree had cautioned his players all week not to underestimate Zebre, a side that had shown promise with five wins this season. However, basic errors and poor execution plagued the Sharks' performance, leading to a near-upset. While the victory solidified their fourth-place position in the standings, it was far from a performance that would unsettle their upcoming opponents.

Plumtree lamented the lack of polish in his team's display, attributing their struggles to poor skills rather than a lack of effort. 

For the Sharks, this result serves as a stark reminder that even lower-ranked teams can pose a serious threat if taken lightly.