Connacht Rugby got their two-game tour of South Africa off to the perfect in round five as they defeated the Hollywoodbets Sharks 12 – 10 in Durban.
Key to this victory was a relentless defensive showing by the Galway team, who, by and large, shut down the Sharks’ explosive playmakers.
One such player was winger Aphiwe Dyanti, who is continuing his return to play following a four-year ban for taking banned substances.
The former World Breakthrough Player Of The Year is a significant addition to the Durbanites.
Renowned for his explosive power, pace and vision, Dyanti joins a backline that already has quality operators such as Lukhany Am, Werner Kok and Aphelele Fassi.
Whilst Dyanti’s story causes division between those who feel he has served his punishment and those who feel he is still benefitting from the substances. There can be no doubt that when on form, he has the potential to be one of the best wings in the world.
Clearly eager to get his hands on the ball, Dyanti went in search of work over the weekend.
Highlighting this relentless pursuit for possession, the 29-year-old took a hard short line as the Sharks were knocking on the Connacht line.
As quickly as he carried the ball forward, he was shunted backwards.
Looking to target some soft shoulder, Dyanti found zero joy between powerhouse backrow Cian Prendergast and loosehead prop Dennis Buckley.
Combining to weigh in at a whopping 225kg, the duo sent the 87kg winger back home with ease.
In one of those sweet moments that brings the following Christian Bale gif to mind, the hit was a nice reminder of why you never try to run between two forwards!
Aphiwe Dyantyi hits a brick wall of Connacht defenders
byu/Mick_vader inrugbyunion
Sign In