Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries for the Sharks against Harlequins. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Fullback Boeta Chamberlain scored a late converted try to seal a thrilling 39-31 win for the Sharks against England’s Harlequins in the first round of the 2022/23 Champions Cup in Durban on Saturday.
With the Sharks 32-31 ahead with just minutes remaining, the home team were able to put the ball through their hands to score a stunning try to make the perfect start in the competition.
A few minutes earlier it looked like Harlequins were going to pull off a miracle after they got themselves back into the contest with three late second half tries.
With 20 minutes to go and at 32-14 up, the Sharks were in charge, even though Ox Nche had been red-carded for a dangerous tackle and Bongi Mbonambi was in the sin-bin.
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But two tries by Andre Esterhuizen and one by Josh Bassett gave Harlequins a lifeline before Chamberlain’s late score.
Before then it was a real ding-dong battle, but one the Sharks always seemed in control of after producing some of their best rugby in some time.
While a try by Bassett early on gave Harlequins a good start, the Sharks hit back in the first period with tries of their own by Mbonambi and a double from Makazole Mapimpi, who was back to his best after a tough spell in the Springbok setup recently.
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The Sharks led 22-14 at the break, with Quins’ other first half try coming from Williams Evans.
The thrilling second half started with Werner Kok scoring a converted try in the 50th minute before Quins’ late push and Chamberlain’s finisher.
Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch kicked four conversions and two penalties in a performance that will give him and his coach Neil Powell plenty of confidence going forward.