Ben Lam's 11-minutes of carnage leaves South African fans scratching their heads over Sharks' defence

Hurricanes winger Ben Lam’s second-half burst propelled the Hurricanes away from the Durban-visitors in their home opener at Sky Stadium.

The prolific try-scorer left multiple Sharks’ defenders clutching on two dazzling runs.

The first came after juggling a cross-field kick, then a scamper down a tight sideline corridor leaving young fullback Aphelele Fassi empty-handed before sliding over from a couple of metres out.

His second try came from a counter-attacking kick return as he called for the ball from Jordie Barrett before cooking Sharks flanker Tyler Paul with an in-and-out move one-on-one. With Paul left stranded, Lam coasted through the empty Sharks’ backfield to score another long-range beauty.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mkbe0ASle/

Lam touched down for his 29th Super Rugby try in his 41st game, a strike rate of 0.70. It has been all uphill for Lam since taking over the 11 jersey from former All Black Julian Savea in 2018 when he scored a season-leading 16 tries.

Many Kiwi fans see a black jersey in Lam’s future.

Ben Lam ran it in again. If the bloke had an IPO right now it would be oversubscribed. #HURvSHA

— Jimmy Ess (@DiamantinaRiver) February 15, 2020

Ben Lam called for that and ran it in. Fully expect him to be in Black this year and for the foreseeable future. #HURvSHA

— Jimmy Ess (@DiamantinaRiver) February 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/dahaydz/status/1228578717124841472

https://twitter.com/alanemond1/status/1228580343072133121

Ben lam is some finisher @Hurricanesrugby #SuperRugby

— Lee Gareth Jones (@biggyjones) February 15, 2020

Ben Lam, have a night son! #HURvSHA

— Eamon (@Mondo512) February 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/JJMaritz/status/1228579251252629504

While on the other side, South African fans were concerned with the defence shown by the previously undefeated Sharks, including 22-year-old Springbok hopeful Aphelele Fassi who has been a star in the opening two weeks.

Tyler Paul, if he wants to be taken seriously as a No 7 (SA), has to lay hands on Ben Lam in that situation. Can't get run over like a stray animal like that.

— Sibusiso Mjikeliso (@Sbu_Mjikeliso) February 15, 2020

Ooooo! That was a bit pathetic #Sharks#BenLam

(PS. I don't mind.)

— Muzzagain (@macgibbons) February 15, 2020

I'm still on the Fassi hype train.

But he can't be letting through tries like that at Super Rugby level.

Ben Lam is no easy guy to stop, I get that. But if we're talking about this guys as Bok ready he needs to improve on that.

— Alex Tarr (@alexthetarr) February 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/Options____/status/1228630360164065280

Wasn't helped by Fassi either. He has to be putting a better tackle attempt there. Cant be trying to go hands first. #HURvSHA

— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) February 15, 2020

Aphelele Fassi mistakes are costing the Sharks #HURvSHA #SuperRugby #SSRugby #SuperRugby25Years

— Themba Kaebis (@Themba_kaebis) February 15, 2020

Ben Lam and Jordie Barrett causing problems for the Sharks

— OverLord. BDK.? ? ? ? (@KushKustodian) February 15, 2020

Well, the ref is super shit – but he didn’t influence any of Ben Lam’s tries – those were just bad from the Sharks #HURvSHA

— Pajuiken (@pajuiken) February 15, 2020

https://twitter.com/dyan__carter/status/1228657665045356545

Former Hurricane Michael Fatialofa takes a massive step: