Five Springboks scored for the Sharks as they secured a vital bonus level despite shedding 39-29 to Harlequins within the Champions Cup on Saturday.
The outcome sees Harlquins qualify for the spherical of 16 knockout section, whereas the shedding bonus-point may assist the already certified Sharks in their quest for a house Champions Cup playoff sport.
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Result however, the efficiency of the Springboks within the Sharks’ ranks can be significantly pleasing for Neil Powell as they head into back-end of the season and much more so for nationwide coach Jacques Nienaber on this all-important World Cup 12 months.
Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse had been wonderful all through the sport, whereas fringe Springboks Curwin Bosch and Aphelele Fassi additionally made huge contributions to the Sharks’ trigger.
In a breathless, motion packed first half-time, Quins and the Sharks went toe to toe with nothing however a singe conversion separating them on the break.
The Sharks made a ponderous begin to the sport when Fassi chipped the ball ahead and it bounced kindly for Thaakir Abrahams, who freed up Am on his inside to cruise over for the opening attempt inside two minutes.
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It didn’t take lengthy for Harlequins to reply, the hosts hitting again with two quick-fire tries in as many minutes. The second got here after a sometimes large carry from former Sharks man Andre Esterhuizen and a few beautiful Marcus Smith which allowed Alex Dombrandt to dot down.
It was all Harlequins at that time, however when the Sharks gained a scrum penalty, Bosch stepped up and turned the chance into three factors. That, although, didn’t cease Harlequins from bossing issues as they crossed for a 3rd transformed attempt to make it 21-8.
At the danger of turning into a non-factor within the contest, the Sharks’ massive names gamers rose to the event. Springboks Hendrikse and Etzebeth crashed over the road and Bosch added the extras to make it a two-point sport heading into the break.
Etzebeth, specifically, confirmed his expertise when Joe Marler misplaced his bind in the back of a ruck and the Sharks and Springbok lock snuck around the aspect to grab the ball and cruise over unchallenged from 25 metres out.
Follow Champions Cup: Harlequins vs Sharks LIVE scores
The second half was performed at just a few paces slower than the primary, but it surely wasn’t any much less fascinating.
Although Harlequins dominated the second stanza, the Sharks additionally contributed to make the sport an ideal spectacle.
A second South African and former Shark, Stephan Lewies bagged Quins’ fourth attempt and so they quickly added a fifth to take the sport away from the Sharks.
Needing another five-point to clinch the bonus-point, the Sharks had been propelled ahead by their massive runners making floor earlier than Fassi exhibited some fancy footwork and energy to complete within the nook on the demise.
Harlequins — Tries: Danny Care, Alex Dombrandt, Cadan Marley, Stephan Lewis, Nick David. Conversions: Marcus Smith (4). Penalties: Smith (2).
Sharks — Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Jaden Hendrikse, Eben Etzebeth, Aphelele Fassi. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (3). Penalty: Bosch.
CHAMPIONS CUP TEAMS: HARLEQUINS VS SHARKS
Harlequins — 15 Nick David, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Will Evans, 6 Dino Lamb, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 George Head, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Tom Lawday, 20 Luke Wallace, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Tommy Allan, 23 Oscar Beard.
Sharks — 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Francois Vente.