The defending European Champions Cup holders maintained their unbeaten status in the competition and secured their spot in the next round with a 20-8 victory over the lacklustre Sharks. However, the French visitors left several points on the field.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 9th minute when the towering lock, Emmanuel Meafou, crashed over the whitewash after sustained pressure. Fullback Thomas Ramos had no trouble adding the extra two points with the conversion.

Minutes later, the Sharks got on the scoreboard as the Springbok flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse slotted a penalty. However, just before halftime at Kings Park, Ramos added two penalties to give his side a commanding 13-3 lead at the break.

To stay in the match, the Sharks needed to score early in the second half, but it was Toulouse who struck first. Their Scottish winger, Blair Kinghorn, crossed in the corner just two minutes after the restart, and Ramos calmly added the conversion.

The visitors continued to dominate in all facets of the game, but the humid conditions, which made the ball slippery, led to numerous knock-ons and ultimately cost them a bonus point.

Antoine Dupont. Photo: X

Somewhat against the run of play, the Sharks managed a consolation try in the 66th minute when replacement centre Jurenzo Julius dived over following a brilliant passage of play. Hendrikse missed the conversion which could have given the Sharks a glimmer of hope.

Toulouse closed out the game with a 12-point buffer, returning to France with points in the bag and their unbeaten status intact. They now turn their attention to their next match against the English Premiership side Leicester Tigers.

Toulouse’s French captain, Antoine Dupont, who was outstanding throughout the match, expressed satisfaction with the win. “Yes, we are satisfied with the first-half performance,” said the Olympic gold medalist and former World Rugby Player of the Year.

What an assist from Thomas Ramos ??

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“I think we could have done better and scored more points or tries to secure the bonus point. I hope we won’t regret missing that point at the end of the competition. Now we just have to focus on ourselves for the last pool game against Leicester, to perform as best as we can.”

The Sharks’ hopes of reaching the knockout rounds are in tatters after suffering their second defeat in three games. On Sunday, they will face Bordeaux-Bègles in France.

Meanwhile, at the Cape Town Stadium, the Stormers secured their first victory with a convincing 40-0 demolition of the ill-disciplined Sale Sharks. At Stade Pierre-Fabre, Castres thrashed the Bulls 49-10.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg