Pool 1: Sharks 28-23 Saracens
Much-changed Sarries beaten in tough conditions
It is a long way to go for just a point, but Saracens all but took the maximum against Sharks in biblical weather in Durban. Now that South Africa has been incorporated into the Champions Cup, these long trips are part and parcel. It meant Saracens changing 10 of their starting lineup. It meant Sharks changing 14 – and a head coach to boot.
JP Pietersen, the former Springbok, stepped up to fill his new role this week when John Plumtree resigned after the Sharks’ heavy defeat in Toulouse on Sunday. One match, one win, his record now reads. For Sharks this was only a second win of the season. They were just about worth it, but still they must despair at finding any rhythm among a squad packed with Springboks.
Four tries against Saracens is not to be sniffed at, even if the visitors travelled short of a few stars themselves, but only a stolen lineout at the death denied the visitors a fourth try of their own and the win. Andy Onyeama-Christie could not quite gather James Hadfield’s throw-in at a five-metre lineout, the clock in the red. In the slippery chaos that followed, Ethan Hooker belted the ball into the stand in relief.
