
mens
united-rugby-championship
Leaders Leinster bounced back to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship as they overcame Sharks 10-7 in Durban.
After suffering their first defeat of the URC season in dramatic fashion against the Bulls last week, Leinster produced the perfect response ahead of next weekend’s Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Harlequins at Croke Park.
The Irish province, showing eight changes to the side which lost at Loftus Versfeld, immediately took advantage of Jaden Hendrikse’s yellow card when Henry McErlean went over in the 18th minute but Ciaran Frawley was unable to add the extras.
Scott Penny grabbed a second Leinster try seven minutes into the second half, with Frawley’s conversion hitting the woodwork.
Sharks, who had won four of their last five games to boost their hopes of a home quarter-final tie in the play-offs, responded as Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi crossed and Jordan Hendrikse converted.
But Leinster held on to claim just a second win in South Africa since 2019 and inflict on Sharks their first loss at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the competition this season.