Rugby
Sharks out of European Challenge Cup after faltering against Connacht─── ILSE SMALBERGER 11:14 Sat, 04 Apr 2026
The Sharks’ European campaign has ended after a 29-12 defeat to Irish side Connacht in the European Challenge Cup at Dexcom Stadium on Friday night.
The team from Durban started well, despite coming to Ireland as the underdogs. They never looked comfortable and could not score one try in the match. Jean Smith opened the scoring for the Sharks with two successful penalty kicks before Chay Mullins scored the first try for the hosts in the 22nd minute.
Sam Gilbert added the conversion. Two more penalty kicks by Smith put the Sharks in the lead (12-7) at halftime.
Cathal Forde
Seven minutes after the restart, Cathal Forde went over the whitewash with Gilbert contributing the extras to make it 14-12. And the tries kept coming for the hosts. Shamus Hurley-Langton scored just past the fifty-minute mark, and Forde scored his second eight minutes later, again under the posts.
Gilbert added another couple of points with the boot – a conversion and a penalty – to give the Irish side the win.
Connacht Rugby victorious over the Sharks in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Image: X/Connacht Rugby
Connacht will now move on to the quarterfinals, where they will play either Montpellier or Perpignan at the last-eight stage next weekend.
The Sharks will turn their attention to the United Rugby Championship (URC), where they are currently 10th on the log with four matches remaining – away fixtures against the Ospreys (18 April) and Edinburgh (24 April), followed by home games against Benetton (9 May) and Zebre (16 May).
In today’s EPCR Challenge Cup matches, Montpellier is hosting Perpignan at the Septeo Stadium, while Exeter Chiefs take on Munster at Sandy Park in Exeter.
Benetton will face Cardiff at Stadio Monigo, while Newcastle host Stade Rochelais at Kingston Park. In the final match of the day, Ulster take on Ospreys at the Affidea Stadium.
