Sharks 32-31 Clermont Auvergne: South African side pull off mighty ...

Sharks booked their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup final after fighting back from 13 points behind to beat Clermont Auvergne 32-31.

Fly-half Siya Masuku kept the Durban outfit in the match with a perfect kicking record of six first-half penalties and two conversions as they edged past Clermont.

The Sharks had looked out of the game after a brace of first-half tries by Joris Jurand and a third by Alex Newsome, coupled with Anthony Belleau penalties, gave their side a 13-point advantage in the second half.

However, ill-discipline cost Clermont throughout the match and eventually Bautista Delguy saw yellow with his side in control.

The card swung momentum and the Sharks came fighting back as Vincent Koch’s try pulled them within six points.

Despite Aphelele Fassi also being sent to the sin-bin for the Sharks they continued to pressure their opponents and Makazole Mapimpi scored their second try 10 minutes from time.

Masuku kept his calm to kick the winning conversion to set up a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium final on May 24 against either Gloucester or Benetton.

The South African side looked dead and buried in the second half against Clermont and showed great belief to get back into the match.

Key to their success was Siya Masuku, who kept the scoreboard ticking over in the first half while his side were under severe pressure.

As soon as Bautista Delguy was shown yellow and Clermont were reduced to 14 men, the Sharks smelt blood and came fighting back.

Whoever they face in the final will have to fight to the very last whistle against an outfit who never give in.

The 27-year-old fly-half looked calm and composed from the tee all afternoon.

Clermont would have been out of sight by half-time had it not been for Masuku’s six perfect penalties.

The South African looked confident even kicking long-distance efforts over and his 22 points were vital in their win.

Sharks: Fassi 7, Kok 8, Am 7, Hooker 7, Mapimpi 8, Masuku 9, Williams 7, Nche 7, Mbonambi 7, Koch 8, Etzebeth 8, Van Heerden 6, J Venter 7, Tshituka 7, Buthelezi 7

Replacements: Mbatha 6, Mchunu 6, Jacobs 6, Grobler 7, Labuschagne 7, F Venter 6

Clermont: Newsome 8, Delguy 6, Heriteau 7, Darricarrere 6, Jurand 8, Belleau 7, Jauneau 7, Beria 6, Fourcade 6, Slimani 7, Simmons 7, Lavanini 7, Kremer 6, Yato 7, Lee 7

Replacements: Beheregaray 6, Ojovan 6, Lanen 7, Sowakula 6, Fall 6

6 - TRY! SHARKS 3 CLERMONT 7 (JURAND)

Flanker Yatu with a mazy run drives at the Sharks before playing a perfect pass wide which is taken by Jurand who sprints down the wing to score. The conversion by Belleau is a difficult one but flies over the posts.

19- TRY! SHARKS 12 CLERMONT 15 (JURAND)

Beria keeps the ball alive before a cross-field kick by Belleau straight to the hands of Jurand opens the line. The left winger jinks past the covering defender before runs over.

Belleau runs out of time with his kick before rushing it and kicking wide.

Tshituka takes a big hit as two Clermont players charge into him.

The resulting penalty is kicked from a reasonable distance by Masuku to level the match at 15-15. It’s his fifth penalty in the first half.

29 - TRY! SHARKS 18 CLERMONT 22 (NEWSOME)

Clermont have the ball at close range and then release it quickly across the line and a nice run by Belleau releases Newsome to score. Belleau slots over the conversion.

41- CLERMONT TAKE 13-POINT LEAD

Clermont are awarded a penalty straight from the kick-off. Belleau makes no mistake under the posts to kick his side 18-31 ahead.

60 - TRY! SHARKS 25 (KOCH) CLERMONT 31

Sharks pressure eventually results in a drive close to the line being held up and Koch diving over from close range. Masuku makes no mistake with his penalty.

70 - TRY! SHARKS 32 (MAPIMPI) CLERMONT 31

A take from Etzebeth results in him finding Tshituka, who offloads perfectly for Am who releases Mapimpi out wide to score. Masuku is again perfect with the boot to kick his side back ahead.