Sharks surge to Challenge Cup glory after Fassi and Mapimpi

Gloucester 22-36 SharksSiya Masuku kicks 21 points in emphatic victory

South African sides have been involved in European club rugby for only two seasons but their first piece of silverware is already tucked away. If this was not quite on a par with the Springboks winning last year’s World Cup, it was still a little piece of history to reinforce where the balance of oval-ball power currently resides.

Not for the first time, either, it was a contest decisively shaped by a superior South African scrum. The destructive “Bomb Squad” front row who have established such a formidable name for themselves at Test level were key figures again, with tries from Phepsi Buthelezi, Aphelele Fassi and Makazole Mapimpi, and 21 points from the boot of the fly-half Siya Masuku sealing the deal.