Sharks Keep Slim Champions Cup Hopes Alive With Ruthless Second-Half Surge

The Sharks stayed in the hunt for a place in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 with a 50-12 win over Clermont at Kings Park, built on a stark turnaround after the interval.

JP Pietersen’s side went into half-time 14-12 ahead after an uneven first 40 minutes, but they controlled the second half, scoring 36 unanswered points. The result moves them to 10 points in Pool One and leaves their fate dependent on results elsewhere.

Aphelele Fassi opened the scoring, finishing after collecting a neat chip from scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse, who spotted space in the Clermont backfield. The visitors’ evening took an early blow when wing Yerim Fall was sent off for a dangerous aerial challenge inside the opening 10 minutes.

Clermont, already out of contention for the knockouts and travelling with a weakened squad, did not fold. They responded through Joris Jurand, who finished on the right after fielding a cross-kick from Irae Simone, cutting the Sharks’ lead and steadying the French side.

Hendrikse then switched roles from provider to finisher, diving over from close range in the 17th minute after sustained pressure near the Clermont line. Yet the Sharks failed to pull away and Clermont struck again before the break. Full-back Kylan Hamdaoui intercepted a loose pass from Jordan Hendrikse and ran in to score, leaving the Durban side with a narrow two-point advantage at the turnaround.

The contest shifted sharply after half-time. The Sharks’ pack took command, their set-piece and collision work pinning Clermont in their own half. Vincent Koch crossed from a driving phase near the posts to begin the second-half surge and from there the home side did not loosen their grip.

Phiko Sobahle added the next try out wide as the Sharks exploited the extra man, moving the ball quickly to stretch the Clermont defence. Fassi then claimed his second of the match, again profiting from sharp work inside him as the hosts maintained pressure and territory.

With Clermont tiring, Siya Masuku joined the list of scorers, taking advantage of a fractured defensive line. Phepsi Buthelezi then powered through from short range as the Sharks continued to dominate the gain line.

The final score went to Jurenzo Julius, who finished another attack as Clermont’s resistance faded. The Sharks’ bench contributed to the closing surge, with fresh forwards maintaining intensity at the breakdown and in contact, denying Clermont any foothold in the last quarter.

Despite the margin of defeat, Clermont’s effort for much of the match was organised and committed. Playing a man down for more than 70 minutes and with no qualification prospects, they stayed in the contest until the early stages of the second half, defended their line for long spells and forced the Sharks into errors before the break.

For Pietersen and his players, the picture now moves beyond Durban. Toulouse host Sale Sharks at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, while Saracens travel to Scotstoun to face Glasgow Warriors. A home defeat for Toulouse would open the door for the Sharks to advance from the pool, a scenario few would have forecast at the start of the competition. Saracens, meanwhile, require only a point to confirm their place in the knockouts, though Glasgow’s home record under Franco Smith suggests no certainty.

If Toulouse prevail against Sale, the Sharks will shift to the EPCR Challenge Cup knockout phase instead. Pietersen must also quickly turn focus to domestic matters, with a demanding run of United Rugby Championship derbies on the horizon.

Next up is a trip to Cape Town to meet the in-form Stormers in a double-header weekend that will also feature the Lions and Bulls in action. For the Sharks, the Clermont win delivers both momentum and clarity: their European path depends on others, but their immediate challenge is to carry this second-half standard into a testing URC schedule.

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