Captain Eben Etzebeth lauded his teammates because the Hollywoodbets Sharks made historical past to change into the primary South African aspect to elevate a European title with a “bodily” win over Gloucester.
The Sharks secured an emphatic 36-22 win over Gloucester to clinch the Problem Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday.
READ: Hollywoodbets Sharks make historical past to elevate Problem Cup with emphatic win over Gloucester
The muse for the Sharks’ dominant show was set by an imposing scrum with scrummaging destroyer Ox Nche main a Springbok entrance row of Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch in inflicting Gloucester nightmares all through the competition.
Rising flyhalf Siya Masuku was deadly from the kicking tee as the lads from Durban clinched an emphatic win in London.
“The motivation to win was extra throughout the crew,” Etzebeth stated as quoted by SA Rugby.
“To show issues round the best way we did after the place we had been 4 or 5 months in the past, was incredible. There was a giant drive to win the Problem Cup as a silver lining to our season, which hasn’t been nice.
“Should you advised us in the beginning of the season that we might win the EPCR Problem Cup and qualify for the Investec Champions Cup, we might have taken it.
“The victory was particular, and it felt as if we left our greatest efficiency for final. The blokes had been simply unimaginable, and the physicality was nice.”
The back-to-back Rugby World Cup-winning ahead described Friday’s win as the most effective events at membership stage in his adorned enjoying profession.
“At membership stage, that is by far the most effective reminiscence. The final championship I gained (at membership stage) was the Currie Cup in 2012, so it’s been 12 years.
“That is the primary worldwide trophy the Sharks have gained and to change into the primary South African to win in Europe is certainly one in all my finest recollections ever.”
No scrum no trophy’s regardless of what number of guidelines you try to change, effectively executed @SharksRugby 1st trophy for the yr!!!
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) Could 24, 2024
What a night. Our boys delivered. Thanks to all our supporters. The trophy is coming house!#ChallengeCup #GLOvSHA #RoadToRedemption pic.twitter.com/R53Icc6WLd
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) Could 24, 2024