Scrum dominance proved decisive as the Sharks became the first South African side to win a major European rugby trophy by beating Gloucester 36-22 in Friday’s Challenge Cup final in London.
No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, full-back Aphelele Fassi and wing Makazole Mapimpi all scored tries for the Sharks, with fly-half Siya Ma-suku landing eight of his nine goal-kicks in a 21-point haul at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But it was South Africa prop Vincent Koch who was named man-of-the-match after anchoring the Sharks’ scrum. “Being in South Africa with a South African team…I haven’t won any trophies in South Africa so being with the Sharks first year back, it’s unbelievable,” Koch told TNT Sports,
“We knew they (Gloucester) had a good scrum and line-out,” added the 34-year-old, a double world champion with the Springboks, who also twice lifted the elite European Champions Cup with London club Saracens.
“We had to be at our best and the boys showed that today.” Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth said Friday’s win, achieved in South African teams’ second year of senior European competition, was the highlight of his club career.
“I think this will rate third, obviously the two World Cups will always be number one and two,” the second row star told reporters.
“But at club level this is by far the best — the last championship I won was the Currie Cup in 2012.” Victory saw the Sharks qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.
By contrast, defeat meant English Pre-miership side Gloucester failed to add to their Challenge Cup final victories of 2006 and 2015.
“We didn’t really get a foothold in the game,” said Gloucester boss George Skivington. —APP
