The Sharks are the first Challenge Cup finalist: Clermont defeated after an incredible semi-final

The Sharks beat Clermont 32-31 after a very tight semi-final and reach the Challenge Cup final, which will be played on Friday 24 May at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The South Africans progressed after suffering throughout the match, overturning the result in the last 20 minutes and finding the overtaking with a try from Mapimpi in the 70th minute. The kicks of an amazing Siya Masuku were decisive: 8 out of 8 from the pitch.

First half played at a very high pace. The Sharks try to impose themselves physically but leave a lot of space in defense, the French take advantage of this and immediately score with Jurand in the 4th minute. The South Africans respond with the foot of Siya Masuku, who punishes Clermont’s excessive indiscipline and scores the overtaking kicks for the 9-7. Another penalty on each side, with Belleau and Masuku, then in the 19th minute it was Jurand again who found the way for the second French try after a splendid kick from Belleau: Clermont is ahead 15-12.

Within 3 minutes the Sharks took the lead again: too many fouls by the French again, Masuku again perfect from the pitch for the overtaking, then in the 29th minute Clermont found the third try with Alex Newsome after a long multi-phase. Belleau converts and then at the end of the first half he scores another 6 points with 2 kicks which make it 28-18 which ends the first half.

At the start of the second half Clermont extends further with a shot from Belleau. The match seems to be in control of the French, who do not allow opportunities and actually come close to scoring the fourth goal. Then in the 58th minute a yellow to Bautista Delguy changed the game: the Sharks launched an assault and Koch scored the goal to make it 31-25.

In the most difficult moment for Clermont, Jurand is still the one who gives his team a shock: he flies down the left side, beats Grant Williams with a kick but when he is about to get the ball back on the run he is tackled without the ball by Fassi, who misses the timing of the goal. intervention. Referee Luke Pearce confronted the TMO and opted for the yellow card for the South African goalkeeper, but did not award the technical try as there were two South African players behind who were returning on the Frenchman. Clermont decides to place but this time Belleau doesn’t find the posts.

In the 70th minute, despite the French having recovered the extra man, it was the Sharks who scored: it all started with a sensational aerial catch by Etzebeth, then Vincent Tshituka found a great offload for Lukanyo Am’s run. The South African number 13 found the external support of Mapimpi, who scores the overtaking goal thanks to the placement of a perfect Masuku: 32-31 Sharks. The final was very tight, but Clermont was no longer able to find gaps in a South African defense that had grown as the minutes passed, after the initial difficulties. The last 10 minutes seem endless, but in the end the Sharks close without conceding any chances, win 32-21 and reach the Challenge Cup final.

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