Sharks surge to Challenge Cup glory after Fassi and Mapimpi sink Gloucester

South African sides have been involved in European club rugby for only two seasons but their first piece of silverware is already tucked away.

If this was not quite on a par with the Springboks winning last year’s World Cup, it was still a little piece of history to reinforce where the balance of oval-ball power currently resides.

Not for the first time, either, it was a contest shaped by a superior South African scrum. The front-row “Bomb Squad” who have made such a name for themselves at Test level were key figures once again, with tries from Phepsi Buthelezi, Aphelele Fassi and Makazole Mapimpi and 21 points from the boot of fly-half Siya Masuku sealing the deal.

Ultimately, it made for another frustrating evening for the Cherry & Whites, who struggled to establish a platform from which their pacy backs might have cause some problems. At least they were not on the receiving end of a 90-0 hiding this time but there was to be no happy ending to their difficult domestic season on a mild evening at Tottenham’s state-of-the-art modern stadium.

It was certainly a world apart from the Shed, Gloucester’s slightly more homespun vantage point at Kingsholm. The Sharks front five was also a massive cut above the average, containing four Springbok World Cup winners in Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Eben Etzebeth.

Big reputations, though, do not necessarily guarantee titles and Gloucester were initially the more purposeful team, mounting a prolonged assault on their opponents’ line without coming away with any first quarter points.

A stretching Chris Harris was denied a try when Etzebeth’s knee dislodged the ball inches short of the line and, despite the sin-binning of full-back Fassi, it was the Sharks who went ahead at the other through a penalty from Masuku.

It needed a monster long-range effort from flame-haired scrum-half Caolan Englefield to put them back on level terms but it was the Sharks who scored the game’s first try via an electric burst from Buthelezi, their fast-footed No 8.

A conversion and a second penalty from Masuku stretched the margin to 13-3 and left Gloucester with serious work to do. There was even a 50-22 for the tight-head Koch, who was also having a good night in his primary role. The first four scrums of the game all resulted in penalties against Gloucester, a massive worry despite the occasional stolen ball at the lineout, and the 13-point margin at half-time duly reflected a contest that was fast slipping away.

Gloucester needed to find some inspiration, with Zach Mercer being tightly policed and seldom in a position to roam free in the wider channels.

Englefield is a player with a growing reputation while Adam Hastings did his best to make things happen but the Sharks’ back row and collective rush defence were combining to make life increasingly awkward.

Things were not about to get any better, despite a half-time front-row reshuffle. First Fassi rounded off a prolonged period of pressure by diving over between the posts before a lovely cross-kick found the lurking Mapimpi wide on the left to put the outcome beyond any doubt.

Gloucester did finally make it on to the score sheet with tries for replacements Albert Tuisue and Santiago Socino and a charging Freddie Clarke but even the staunchest Gloucester supporter knew there was no realistic prospect of a way back, particularly when Stephen Varney had a try ruled out for offside.

For all the logistical issues and long-range flights, here was ­further compelling evidence that South Africa teams are tough nuts to crack when major knockout games come around.

And, whether their ­opponents like it or not, South Africa look destined to remain part of the European furniture for “the ­foreseeable future” ­according to tournament officials.

Dominic McKay, the EPCR chairman, has also said that negotiations were continuing regarding a fresh TV deal for next season’s Champions Cup, dismissing fears that an ­acceptable offer might not materialise.