Marius Louw scored a brace of tries as the Sharks claimed a 31-14 win over Racing 92 in Hong Kong on Saturday.
The Sharks picked a powerful side for this friendly match, and were able to enjoy a productive hitout as they cruised to a confidence-building win ahead of the fast-approaching Super Rugby season.
The Sharks made an impressive start to the encounter and moved into a handy 12-0 in the opening quarter after tries to Makazole Mapimpi and Louw.
That would remain the scoreline at half-time, with the Durban-based side battling to hang onto possession in the second quarter, although their organised defence and accurate work at the breakdown kept Racing scoreless.
The Sharks extended their lead soon after the restart as some beautiful handling between Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am and Louw enabled the latter to go over for his second try.
Racing eventually opened their account when So’otala Fa’as’o burrowed over the tryline in the 50th minute, but impressive Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright cancelled out that score when he darted over the tryline soon after.
Xavier Chauveau and Curwin Bosch scored late tries, with the Sharks now set to head home after a pleasing final pre-season clash. They will open their Super Rugby campaign against the Lions on 17 February.
Sharks – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi, Marius Louw (2), Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Rob du Preez (2), Bosch.
Racing – Tries: So’otala Fa’as’o, Xavier Chauveau. Conversions: Antoine Gibert (2).
Sharks – 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Tera Mtembu, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Curwin Bosch, 24 Jeremy Ward, 25 Sbusiso Nkosi, 26 Garth April.
Racing – 15 Matthew Worley, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Leonard Paris, 12 Albert Vulivulu, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Antoine Gibert, 9 Teddy Iribaren (c), 8 Antonie Claassen, 7 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 6 So’otala Fa’as’o, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Patricio Albacete, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Vasil Kakovin.
Subs: 16 Viliamu Afatia, 17 Luka Goginava, 18 Edwin Maka, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Xavier Chauveau, 21 Franck Porteau, 22 Anthony Tuitavake, 23 Census Johnstone, 24 Marc Andreu, 25 Benjamin Dembielle, 26 Louis Dupichot, 27 Esteban Abadie.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
