Sharks rue missed away opportunities after Champions Cup exit

The Durban side did everything that was asked of them at Kings Park on Saturday, running in eight tries in a dominant 50–12 win over a Clermont Auvergne team missing several regular starters in their final pool match.

Despite the emphatic victory, results elsewhere went against the men in black and white, with Toulouse’s crushing 77–7 win over Sale Sharks in France sealing the Sharks’ fate and leaving them fifth in the pool.

Pietersen says South African teams cannot rely solely on strong home performances…

"In order to reach the round of 16, you have to win away from home, and that's something that we have to get better at, especially as a South African team."

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The Sharks’ elimination is particularly frustrating given that two wins from four pool matches is often enough to secure a place in the Champions Cup round of 16.

However, the narrow defeat away to Sale in the previous round severely dented their qualification hopes, effectively leaving them dependent on other results heading into the final weekend.

Pietersen says that, while progression was already unlikely, his side approached the Clermont match with intent, putting sustained pressure on the French outfit.

That intensity forced Clermont into repeated infringements, resulting in a 20-minute red card and two yellow cards, which the Sharks capitalised on to build a commanding scoreline.

Questions have been raised around the Sharks’ selection for the away fixture in Manchester, where several senior players were rested despite the club boasting a squad filled with established Springboks and international stars.

While that decision ultimately may have cost them a place in the knockout rounds, Pietersen suggests there was also a longer-term view at play, particularly with domestic commitments and future European qualification in mind.

He says the Sale match can now be seen as a valuable learning opportunity, allowing younger players to gain experience in a demanding European environment and building depth that could prove crucial as the season progresses.

"We are giving the youngsters exposure to see how they play on this level, because we also have to look ahead. I need to give opportunities and I can't just say certain players are not good enough."