Champions Cup. Stade Toulousain dominates the Sharks in the clash of the hemispheres

Toulouse brings back the victory (8-20) from its trip to South Africa against Sharks Durban apathetic, this Sunday, January 11 in Durban, for the 3rd day of Champions Cup. After successes against Ulster (Ireland), Exeter (England), Stade Toulousain continues its good European momentum.

Story of the very first official match at the Stadium in the southern hemisphere.

A difficult start in stifling weather

Toulouse brought out its shock XV and shines very quickly, despite the 30° and despite the 80% ambient humidity. Ntamack first finds a superb 50:22 and the resulting action allows Emmanuel New to open the score (9^e), after a touch of Mauvaka and the leather slipped by Dupont. Thomas Ramos transforms. Jordan Hendrikse then responds with a penalty (14^e).

Toulouse has a series of opportunities, Lebel notably comes very close to the try in the 28th minute, but harvests a lot. The ball is slippery and the Stadistes are making a lot of bad decisions against the Sharks who seem burned out after half an hour of the game. To support them, the Kings Park DJ who is pulling out all the stops on the BPM. On the meadow, the tone also ends up rising and a small clash ends in a penalty, which Thomas Ramos adjusts to 45 meters (36^e). The rear then doubles the lead, after a lightning breakthrough from Antoine Dupont (40^e+2). The half-time score (3-13) does not reflect Toulouse’s domination.

The score could have been heavier

Toulouse returns from the locker room to eat shark. Blair Kinghorn flattened in the corner, after a beautiful Red and Black sequence, a breakthrough from Lebel and a gem of a pass in the back from Thomas Ramos (43rd). Black and white are amorphous. However, while the locals’ low level of play began to appear very worrying, the Durbanians surprised their opponents, and the spectators at the same time, by allowing Jurenzo Julius to flatten (67^e). The transformation is missed, but the suspense is reignited… In vain, because the score does not move after that.

Finally, most of the entertainment took place in the stands, when the DJ acted up again and played « A Sky Full of Stars »while the supporters raised their smartphones, flashes on, in a concert atmosphere. At the whistle, there is no offensive bonus for Toulouse, whose game has undoubtedly been impacted by this long intercontinental trip. Bordeaux therefore takes first place in the group.

The next match at the Stade will be on the Toulouse field against LeicesterSunday January 19 at 4:15 p.m.

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