Harlequins hand Sharks first Champions Cup defeat in high-scoring final pool match

The Sharks suffered their first Champions Cup defeat 39-29 at the hands of Harlequins in London on Saturday.

The match served as much entertainment as there was stardust sprinkled all over the field. 

With players such as Eben Etzebeth, Jaden Hendrikse and Siya Kolisi on one side; Marcus Smith, Andre Esterhuizen and Joe Marler on the other side, the game had a distinct England versus Springboks at Twickenham feel to it.

RECAP | Harlequins v Sharks

This is what the Champions Cup promised South African and European audiences. The SA fans, though, are yet to fully grasp the magnitude of playing at the highest level below Test internationals.

The wonderful thing for the spectators was that, even though the Sharks had already secured their round of 16 place, they fielded a full-strength team at Twickenham Stoop.

The Sharks opened the scoring in the second minute in sensational fashion. Aphelele Fassi chipped through after joining the line from fullback, and Thaakir Abrahams gathered and fed Lukhanyo Am on his inside, who had nothing but London land in front of him.

But it took the hosts less than five minutes to respond when they put together a brilliant multiphase move that resulted in a Danny Care dummy, dart and dot-down.

That put a spring in the Harlequins step as they hit the Sharks where it hurts again, through No 8 Alex Dombrandt. 'Quins’ incisive passing in midfield bamboozled the Sharks defence, which they scrambled to create delicious openings.

With 17 minutes gone, the game saw a fourth try, and a third for Harlequins when they mauled the Sharks before Caden Murley scored down the right.

The Sharks’ rush defence was being picked badly apart by the expert passing, led by England flyhalf Smith.

Wing Marnus Potgieter stopped the