Sharks edge Saracens 28-23 in Durban thriller

Sharks 28-23 Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park

The Sharks claimed a hard-fought 28-23 Investec Champions Cup victory over Saracens in Durban, surviving a determined late push from the visitors in a match played under relentless rain at Kings Park.

The home side wasted no time asserting themselves. From an early penalty kicked to the corner, their powerful driving maul rumbled forward and skipper Siya Kolisi was the man to finish it off. George Whitehead added the extras to give the Sharks early momentum.

Saracens steadied after the opening exchanges and began to use tactical kicking to good effect. Scrum-half Charlie Bracken repeatedly tested the Sharks under the high ball, and pressure from a lineout led to Theo Dan breaking away from the maul to score, narrowing the gap.

The English side then took control. Elliot Daly’s deft kick in behind exposed a slippery defence, allowing Sam Spink to pounce for a try, before Fergus Burke’s accurate boot nudged Saracens into a 15-7 lead.

Just when Saracens looked set to take that advantage into the break, the momentum swung dramatically.

A big carry from Andre Esterhuizen put the Sharks on the front foot and Aphelele Fassi finished the move with a well-taken try.

Soon after, a late challenge from Saracens captain Andy Onyeama-Christie gifted the hosts field position, and they struck again as Edwill van der Merwe crossed in the corner. Whitehead’s conversion meant the Sharks turned around 21-15 ahead.

Saracens remained in contention early in the second half, with Burke reducing the deficit through a penalty. However, their task became much tougher when Dan was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.

The Sharks immediately made the numerical advantage count as Ethan Hooker sliced through midfield before feeding Grant Williams, who sprinted clear to score under the posts.

Despite the setback, Saracens showed impressive resilience. Sustained pressure near the Sharks’ line eventually paid off when the impressive Tom Willis forced his way over from close range, setting up a tense closing quarter.

The visitors threw everything at the hosts in the final stages, searching for a decisive score, but the Sharks managed the final minutes intelligently, keeping the ball and territory to secure their first pool win under new head coach JP Pietersen.

Saracens departed with a losing bonus point, rewarded for a spirited performance from a much-changed side against a Sharks team stacked with Springbok quality.

Line up:

Sharks: Fassi; Van der Merwe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Whitehead, Williams; Ganyane, Mbonambi, Jacobs, Jenkins, Van Heerden, Kolisi, Tshituka, Buthelezi.

Reserves: Swart, Mazibuko, Mdanda, Orie, Romao, Hatton, Jaden Henrikse, Jordan Henrikse.

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Spink, Hartley, Hall; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, Dan, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Wilson, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie (capt), Willis.

Reserves: Hadfield, O'Driscoll, Street, Tizard, Michelow, Earl, Simpson, Losowski.