Saracens fall to Champions Cup defeat by Sharks

Investec Champions Cup, Pool One

Sharks (21) 28

Tries: Kolisi, Fassi, Van der Merwe, Williams Cons: Whitehead 4

Saracens (15) 23

Tries: Dan, Spink, Willis Cons: Burke Pens: Burke 2

Saracens' ill-discipline proved costly as they fell to a frustrating 28-23 Investec Champions Cup defeat by the Sharks in torrential rain in Durban.

The Prem side were set to take a deserved lead into the half-time break but a late tackle by Saracens captain Andy Onyeama-Christie gave the ball back to the Sharks.

The South African side powered up the field and punished Saracens by freeing up Edwill van der Merwe to go over in the corner for a 21-15 lead.

With Saracens trailing by just three points in the second half, hooker Theo Dan was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

Almost immediately the home side surged into a crucial 28-18 lead when Springbok scrum-half Grant Williams sprinted over.

With supreme effort, Saracens cut the gap to five points through Tom Willis' try, but the Sharks held on under immense pressure to secure their first win in Pool Three in JP Pietersen's first game as head coach.

Saracens, who left out experienced stars Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Owen Farrell, claimed a losing bonus point to move to six points following their bonus-point home win last weekend.

Sharks: Fassi; Van der Merwe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Whitehead, Williams; Ganyane, Mbonambi, Jacobs, Jenkins, Van Heerden, Kolisi, Tshituka, Buthelezi.

Replacements: Swart, Mazibuko, Mdanda, Orie, Romao, Hatton, Jaden Henrikse, Jordan Henrikse.

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Spink, Hartley, Hall; Burke, Bracken; Mawi, Dan, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Wilson, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie (capt), Willis.

Replacements: Hadfield, O'Driscoll, Street, Tizard, Michelow, Earl, Simpson, Losowski.

Yellow card: Dan (58)

Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)

Assistant referees: Kevin Bralley (France) and Flavien Hourquet (France)

TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)