Sharks batter Bordeaux to book playoff spot

Standard published on

The Sharks became the first SA team to reach the Champions Cup last 16 with a bonus-point win against Bordeaux-Begles in Durban on Saturday.

Heading into this weekend’s clash at Kings Park with victories over Harlequins and Bordeaux in the opening Pool A rounds of the competition, the Sharks made an explosive start to lead 22-0 at half time, before proving too strong for the ill-disciplined visitors in the final quarter to secure a convincing 32-3 victory.

Scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and right wing Marnus Potgieter each scored a brace as the Durbanites ran in five tries, with Bordeaux shown four yellow cards – two in each half.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth was at the forefront of a powerful effort from the Sharks pack, as the hosts played at a high tempo in humid conditions by quickly spreading the ball down the line and wide.

The Durbanites also shrugged off a late injury enforced change, Lionel Cronje starting in the No 10 jersey in place of Curwin Bosch (hamstring). A fit-again Aphelele Fassi took Cronje’s place among the replacements, while hooker Kerron van Vuuren also came off the bench inside the opening 10 minutes of the match for Bongi Mbonambi, who hurt his shoulder.

Director of rugby Neil Powell will also be sweating the fitness of Boeta Chamberlain, the fullback leaving the field in the final quarter with what looked to be a serious shoulder injury.

ICYMI – Scarlets break Cheetahs’ hearts

Cronje’s first kick at posts was good for a 3-0 lead to the hosts in the seventh minute, before a clever tap-and-go from Hendrikse stretched their lead by an unconverted try.

A TMO referral confirmed an on-field decision of a touchdown from Potgieter as no try, but Hendrikse was not to be denied as he bagged his second from close range. 

The visitors finished the first half with 13 men after loosehead prop Christopher Vaotoa and hooker Clement Maynadier were yellow carded either side of lock Gerbrandt Grobler barging over for the home side’s third.

ALSO: Stade Francais overtake fading Lions

Bordeaux struck first after the break via the boot of skipper Maxime Lucu, but they were again down a man after flyhalf Mateo Garcia earned 10 minutes in the naughty chair for taking out Chamberlain in the air.

Another yellow was shown to the visitors – this time to replacement Cyril Cazeaux – and the hosts made their numerical advantage count as Potgieter notched the bonus-point try, before he dotted again in the corner for the coup de grâce.

In their final Pool A encounter, the Sharks will travel to England to face Harlequins in London next Saturday.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Post by