Masuku stars as Sharks power into semis

13/04/2024 15:22

Flyhalf Siya Masuku kicked 18 points as the Sharks fought back to overpower Edinburgh on Saturday in Durban to progress to the Challenge Cup last four for the first time.

Trailing 16-14 at half time, the Sharks scored three tries in a 36-30 win at Kings Park, , and will face Clermont Auvergne in the semi-finals on the weekend of 3 to 5 May after the Top 14 outfit thrashed the Irish giants in France.

The Sharks fell to Toulouse in the Champions Cup last eight of their maiden EPCR campaign, and John Plumtree's charges will now travel to Scotland in the Vodacom URC on a high to face the Glasgow Warriors on Friday.

Edinburgh flyhalf Ben Healy raised the assistant officials' flags twice inside the opening 15 minutes from the kicking tee, but the Sharks took the lead for the first time of the quarter-final before the close of the first quarter after Lukhanyo Am ran a good line in support of fellow Springbok flyer Makazole Mapimpi, the skipper dotting down near the uprights for Masuku to add the extras.

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The hosts doubled their lead midway through the first half when openside flanker James Venter soared over in the corner to complete an impressive attacking surge from the men in black, who lost enforcer Eben Etzebeth to the naughty chair 10 minutes before the break for repeat team infringements.

SA-born Scotland loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman barged over from close range as the visitors made their numerical advantage count, with two more clean strikes from Healy powering Sean Everitt's troops ahead on the scoreboard by the interval.

Masuku booted the home side back in front by six points after the restart, and hooker Bongi Mbonambi burst through for an acrobatic finish in the endzone to extend their lead as the stadium clock closed in on the final 20 minutes of the match.

Late tries from No 8 Hamish Watson and hooker Dave Cherry were scant consolation for the Scottish tourists, as the boot of Masuku and replacement Curwin Bosch – in 100th appearance for the Sharks – made sure of the result for the Durbanites.

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images

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