Saracens Fall To Champions Cup Defeat By Sharks

Investec Champions Cup, Pool One

Sharks (21) 28

Tries: Kolisi, Fassi, Van der Merwe, Williams Cons: Whitehead 4

Saracens (15) 23

Tries: Dan, Spink, Willis Cons: Burke Pens: Burke 2

Saracens' ill-discipline proved costly arsenic they fell to a frustrating 28-23 Investec Champions Cup conclusion by nan Sharks successful torrential rainfall successful Durban.

The Prem broadside were group to return a deserved lead into nan half-time break but a precocious tackle by Saracens skipper Andy Onyeama-Christie gave nan shot backmost to nan Sharks.

The South African broadside powered up nan section and punished Saracens by freeing up Edwill van der Merwe to spell complete successful nan area for a 21-15 lead.

With Saracens trailing by conscionable 3 points successful nan 2nd half, hooker Theo Dan was shown a yellowish paper for a precocious tackle.

Almost instantly nan location broadside surged into a important 28-18 lead erstwhile Springbok scrum-half Grant Williams sprinted over.

With ultimate effort, Saracens trim nan spread to 5 points done Tom Willis' try, but nan Sharks held connected nether immense unit to unafraid their first triumph successful Pool Three successful JP Pietersen's first crippled arsenic caput coach.

Saracens, who near retired knowledgeable stars Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Owen Farrell, claimed a losing prize constituent to move to six points pursuing their bonus-point location triumph past weekend.

Sharks: Fassi; Van der Merwe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Whitehead, Williams; Ganyane, Mbonambi, Jacobs, Jenkins, Van Heerden, Kolisi, Tshituka, Buthelezi.

Replacements: Swart, Mazibuko, Mdanda, Orie, Romao, Hatton, Jaden Henrikse, Jordan Henrikse.

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Spink, Hartley, Hall; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, Dan, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Wilson, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie (capt), Willis.

Replacements: Hadfield, O'Driscoll, Street, Tizard, Michelow, Earl, Simpson, Losowski.

Yellow card: Dan (58)

Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)

Assistant referees: Kevin Bralley (France) and Flavien Hourquet (France)

TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)