The Sharks succeeded in their quest to become the first South African team to advance to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup competition.
For the first time, a South African team will contest a last-four clash in the prestigious European club tournament after John Plumtree’s charges beat fellow URC side Edinburgh in a thrilling quarter-final at Kings Park on Saturday.
A strong second half display by the KwaZulu-Natalians saw them recover from a 16-14 halftime deficit against Edinburgh in Durban to register a 36-30 victory in their last eight showdown.
Flyhalf Siya Masuka contributed a match-high 18 points in total for the Sharks and coupled with his skilful playmaking he was deservedly named as the Challenge Cup man of the match.
This rewarding victory marked the Sharks’ fourth win on the trot in Durban, and in the Challenge Cup. They have now booked a semi-final against French club Clermont Auvergne at the Twickenham Stoop in London on Saturday, 4 May at 13h30 (SA time).
The Sharks will now host French giants Clermont at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, 4 May.
The other semi-final is between Gloucester and Benetton at Kingsholm in Gloucester on the same day, at 16h00 (SA time). The 2024 EPCR Challenge Cup Final will be played on Friday 24 May at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, a day before the Investec Champions Cup Final at the same venue.
Sharks 36 (14) – Tries: Lukhanyo Am, James Venter, Bongi Mbonambi. Conversions: Siya Masuku (3). Penalty goals: Masuku (4), Curwin Bosch.
Edinburgh 30 (16) – Tries: Pierre Schoeman, Hamish Watson, Dave Cherry. Conversions: Ben Healy (3). Penalty goals: Healy (3).
CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Here are all the confirmed details for this year’s semi-final matches of the premier European rugby competition.
Challenge Cup semi-final 1
Match: Sharks v Clermont
Venue: Twickenham Stoop, London
Date and time: Saturday 4 May, 13.30
TV: SuperSport
Challenge Cup semi-final 2
Match: Gloucester v Benetton
Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester
Date and time: Saturday 5 May, 16:00
TV: SuperSport
CHAMPIONS CUP INFO:
The semi-final matches of the Champions Cup have also been confirmed after the quarter-final matches threw up some incredible results.
English side Harlequins secured a shock win at French club Bordeaux, Ireland’s Leinster banished old demons against La Rochelle, Northampton Saints defeated the Bulls and Toulouse rolled over Exeter Chiefs in the highest-ever scoring quarter-final.
The semi-finals of both the Champions and Challenge Cup will be played over the weekend.