Connacht can’t hold on as Sharks find their form

MUNSTER lock Gerbrant Grobler crossed for two tries to end Connacht’s hopes of a clean sweep over the four South African sides as the Sharks came from 11 points adrift to win comfortably.

Connacht led 21-10 at the break but Sharks kept their hopes of a home quarter-final alive when they got on top at Kings Park and secured a bonus point win.

“It’s a big win for us. We knew it would be difficult but we kept going and got the result we wanted,” said Grobler.

Two early Conor Fitzgerald penalties settled Connacht but a yellow card for winger John Porch for a high tackle on centre Ben Tapuai proved costly as Sharks went to touch with the penalty and Grobler scored after a good maul to lead 10-6 after 24 minutes.

Connacht hit back and Gavin Thornbury got over for a try when he charged down a clearance from scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse.

Fitzgerald added a penalty from 40 metres on the right and then they got in for their second try when Caolin Blade, making his 150th appearance for his native province, broke and got over to score after exchanging passes with tighthead Finlay Bealham to lead 21-10 at the break.

But Sharks got on top after the restart and they got back in contention when they punished poor tackling with centre Marius Louw scoring when he managed to stretch and dot down after being tackled by Tom Daly. Bosch converted to reduce the gap to 21-17.

They never looked back from there. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi got in to score and they secured the bonus point when Grobler got his second try after 55 minutes before lock Roux Le Roets completed the rout with their fifth try of the contest and Bosch added his fifth conversion in an impressive win for the Durban side.