Sharks secure top-four finish in URC with bonus-point win over Ospreys

The bonus-point win meant the Sharks moved 12 points clear of fifth-placed Cardiff and guaranteed the side home ground advantage in the quarter and semi-finals.

But the victory came with a price as captain Eben Etzebeth was left writhing on the floor with an injury to his right knee as early as the 27th minute.

He tried to walk it off, but minutes later was replaced and taken away on a medical cart - a big concern for both the Sharks and Boks.

The Sharks already have a lengthy injury list that includes scrumhalf Grant Williams (neck), flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (back), centre Lukhanyo Am (knee) and prop Ox Nche (illness).

The game started with No.8 Morgan Morse winning a breakdown penalty and Dan Edwards slotting it for a three-point lead.

A scrum penalty allowed the Sharks to set up a line-out deep inside the Ospreys' 22-metre area. A series of forward rushes saw lock Jason Jenkins open the Sharks with a try. Flyhalf Siya Masuku made it 7-3 with the conversion, with 11 minutes on the clock.

From the restart, Ospreys scrumhalf Kieran Hardy skinned Jaden Hendrikse and thought he had scored, but the TMO found a knock-on.

A tackle penalty gave the Sharks an attacking penalty, but Masuku kicked it dead, gifting the Ospreys an easy exit.

After the departure of Etzebeth on the half-hour mark, the Sharks used their forwards to soften the Ospreys' defence, before Bok centre Andre Esterhuizen used his hulking frame to charge over. Aphelele Fassi added the conversion to make it 14-3.

That is how it stayed until the half-time break.

It was a scrappy start to the second half, but just past the 50-minute mark a Jaden Hendrikse chip-kick exposed the Ospreys' defence and wing Ethan Hooker collected the bouncing ball to sprint over. Masuku added the conversion to make it 21-3.

The scrappy nature of the game continued up to the hour mark, with replacement hooker Sam Parry getting an armchair ride at the back of a powerful Ospreys maul. Edwards added the conversion to make it 21-10 with 20 minutes to go.

Phepsi Buthelezi replied for the Sharks - an Aphelele Fassi cross-field kick collected by Makazole Mapimpi, who offloaded to the replacement loose forward. Masuku was wide of the mark with the conversion, but the bonus point was secured to make it 26-10.

Masuku put the seal on the win with a penalty on the stroke of full-time.

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