Fassi, Julius shine as Sharks overpower Clermont in Durban Champions Cup blitz

The Sharks produced an emphatic second-half display to secure a 50-12 bonus-point victory in their Champions Cup pool clash against Clermont at the "Shark Tank" in Durban on Saturday. JP Pietersen’s side scored 36 unanswered points after the break to overwhelm the French visitors.

The hosts started on the front foot, and a brilliant chip over the top by scrum-half Jaden Hendrickse was gathered by Springbok full-back Aphelele Fassi to score close to the posts. Fly-half Jordan Hendrickse added the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.

Clermont began to press and were camped inside the Sharks' 22, but a heavy Fassi hit helped alleviate the pressure. The visitors were soon dealt a blow when Yerim Fall received a 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle in the air on Sharks winger Yaw Penxe.

However, instead of the Sharks pressing home their advantage, it was Clermont who looked the sharper of the two sides. From a line-out maul on the left, the ball found its way to the right; Fassi failed to deal with a clever cross-field kick, leaving Joris Jurand to pounce on the handling error and score.

A superb Jurenzo Julius burst down the left wing almost put the Sharks in again, but his grubber kick drifted just over the dead-ball line. When the Sharks eventually opted for a five-metre line-out, Matt Romao showed great power with a blindside burst, allowing Jaden Hendrickse to cross for a simple score.

The 14 men of Clermont refused to go away and placed the home side under further pressure as the match descended into a kicking contest before the 24th-minute water break. While the Sharks' pack feasted at the scrums, they were unable to translate that dominance onto the scoreboard. Instead, the French side scored next, pouncing on a loose pass by Jordan Hendrickse in midfield, with Kylan Hamdaoui crossing after the 30th minute to bring the visitors within two points.

The score remained 14-12 at the interval, with the Sharks frustrated at their inability to turn pressure into points, while Clermont also rued a missed scoring opportunity of their own.

The Sharks started the second half with renewed intent, carrying the ball through the phases and earning a succession of penalties. Opting for the tap-and-go, the pressure eventually told when veteran prop Vincent Koch barged over the line. Jordan Hendrickse’s conversion extended the lead to 21-12.

PK Sobahle secured the bonus-point try shortly after; the Sharks won a turnover just inside their own half, and Julius unleashed the winger to race away. This score seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, with the Sharks bossing territory and possession throughout the final half-hour.

A thrilling Penxe chip-and-chase down the right wing almost led to a fifth try, but a costly knock-on halted the momentum. The try eventually arrived in the 64th minute against a Clermont side reduced to 14 men again due to ill-discipline. Fassi grabbed his brace following a quick tap penalty in front of the posts.

Siya Masuku, Phepsi Buthelezi, and Julius added further gloss to the scoreline with three late tries to complete the rout.

Point-scorers

Sharks 50 (14) – Tries: Fassi (2), Jaden Hendrickse, Koch, Sobahle, Masuku, Buthelezi, Julius. Conversions: Jordan Hendrickse (4), Masuku.

Clermont 12 (12) – Tries: Jurand, Hamdaoui. Conversion: Simone.