Sharks Secure Victory Over Exeter in Champions Cup Opener

Phepsi Buthelezi scored the first of five tries for the Sharks as they defeated Exeter Chiefs in their Investec Champions Cup opener. Sharks (26) 39 Tries: Buthelezi, Mapimpi, Williams, Kolisi 2 Cons: Jordan Hendrikse 4 Pens: Jordan Hendrikse 2 Exeter (14) 21 Tries: Frost 2, Feyi-Waboso Cons: Hodge 3 The Exeter Chiefs experienced a 39-21 loss against a formidable Sharks team during an eventful initial Investec Champions Cup pool match in Durban. Late in the game, the Chiefs competed against a Sharks side reduced to 12 players for approximately six minutes, following three rapid sin-bins for the home team. However, Exeter was unable to secure a fourth try, which would have earned them a bonus point. Exeter, currently winless in their first seven Premiership matches of the season, established an early lead through hooker Dan Frost’s try, scored while they were a player short due to Greg Fisilau being in the sin-bin. Frost scored a second try in the final moments of the first half, but by then, Challenge Cup holders Sharks had asserted dominance with four consecutive scores, leading 26-14 at halftime. Phepsi Buthelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, and Grant Williams each completed well-executed attacking plays, followed by South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi crossing the line to secure a bonus point for the Sharks. Kolisi’s second try, which came after the Sharks recovered a loose ball from an Exeter line-out, extended the home side’s advantage to 22 points. England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso secured a crossfield kick for Exeter’s third score, but they squandered a prime chance to earn a bonus point when Ben Hammersley was unable to collect a high kick to the left corner during the period they were playing with a three-man advantage. Exeter, who were Champions Cup winners in 2020 and quarter-finalists last season, where they were defeated, are scheduled to host holders Toulouse in their next Pool One match on Sunday, 15 December (17:30 GMT). Despite being without a win in the 2024-25 Premiership season, five of Exeter’s seven defeats have been by a margin of six points or fewer. Playing without the rested Henry Slade, the Chiefs displayed offensive intent against a Sharks starting XV featuring six players who contributed to South Africa’s victory over England at Allianz Stadium last month. The visitors secured an initial try during the period when number eight Fisilau was off the field, after receiving a yellow card for head-to-head contact during a tackle on Sharks full-back Aphelele Fassi. Instead of opting for an easily convertible penalty kick when the Sharks were penalised near their own line, Exeter chose a quick tap, and Frost drove over from a short distance. However, the hosts demonstrated superior clinicality at the opposite end of the pitch, with Kolisi scoring two of their five tries. Returning to the Sharks after a year with Racing 92 in France, the flanker celebrated his first Champions Cup appearance since rejoining the South African team by twice scoring unopposed from 20 metres. Sharks: Fassi; Keyter, Hooker, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Nyakane, Etzebeth (capt), Van Heerden, J Venter, Tshituka, Kolisi. Replacements: Richardson, Mchunu, Jacobs, Jenkins, Buthelezi, Jaden Hendrikse, Masuku, F Venter. Exeter: Hodge; Feyi-Waboso, Hammersley, Tua, Wyatt; Haydon-Wood, Townsend; Sio, Frost, Street, Molina, Capstick, E Roots, Vermeulen (capt), Fisilau. Replacements: Innard, Goodrick-Clarke, J Roots, Tshiunza, Vintcent, Becconsall, Skinner, Rigg. Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)