Late try secures trophy

FAF de Klerk’s late try sealed Sale Sharks a hard-fought victory over Harlequins to claim their first trophy in 14 years as they won the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The World Cupwinning scrum-half, who came on as a replacement, darted over for the game’s decisive try three minutes from the end at the AJ Bell Stadium as the Sharks won the final, which was postponed in March due to the coronovirus pandemic.

De Klerk hared over down the blindside with Sale hanging on to a 20-19 lead and fellow South African Rob du Preez’s touchline conversion put Steve Diamond’s side 27-19 ahead as the clock ticked down.

“I am just happy for the win and hopefully there are many more trophies to come,” said De Klerk

“The club has been in a few finals and haven’t managed to win one recently, so to get that monkey off our backs is very important and gives us a lot of confidence for the future.

“Winning more is going to take a lot of hard work, but I think we have got it in us.”

Sharks’ last trophy triumph came 14 years ago when they won the Premiership title, while Quins were denied their first silverware since their Anglo-Welsh Cup success in 2013. Quins led 16-10 at half-time, fighting back from 10-0 down through James Chisholm’s converted try and three penalties from fly-half Marcus Smith.

Curtis Langdon’s converted touchdown and Du Preez’s penalty had given Sale a head start, but Smith’s 50th-minute penalty put Quins 19-10 ahead.

Sale back row Dan du Preez’s 66thminute touchdown and brother Rob’s conversion hauled Diamond’s men to within two points of their opponents.

Rob du Preez’s 75th-minute penalty edged Sale ahead and De Klerk’s late effort, which Rob du Preez converted, put the result beyond doubt.