Sharks' Champions Cup hopes dashed after late capitulation in Toulouse

The Sharks were eliminated from the Champions Cup on Saturday when they went down 54-20 to a rampant Toulouse at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

AS IT HAPPENED | Toulouse 54-20 Sharks

The hosts ran in seven tries to the Sharks' two to book their spot in the semi-finals against Leinster.

The scoreline though flatters the hosts somewhat as the Sharks were in this contest for large parts. The Durbanites had led for most of the first half but lost their grip on the game late in the opening stanza.

Despite being dominated in the second half, the Sharks were still in the contest when they trailed by only 26-20 after 67 minutes.

However, four late tries by Toulouse saw them rack up a big victory and leave Siya Kolisi's charges shell-shocked at the final whistle.

For Toulouse, fullback Tomas Ramos was superb as he contributed 29 points which included two tries.

French captain and scrumhalf Antoine Dupont also showed why he is arguably the best scrumhalf in the world game at the moment. Dupont's sniping breaks set up a few of Toulouse's tries and he also controlled the game well tactically. 

(•_•) ( •_•)>¬¦-¦(¬¦_¦) @RomainNtamack is just too cool ??A double dummy and he crosses over for @StadeToulousain's 7??th try of the game ??#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/WNeAOBm01u

Sharks bossed early exchanges

In the early exchanges, a 54-20 scoreline in favour of Toulouse appeared highly unlikely. The Sharks started like a house on fire, dominating territory and possession while the hosts appeared somewhat lacklustre.

The Sharks' dominance was rewarded in the 10th minute when flyhalf Curwin Bosch slotted a penalty. It came after Toulouse's Argentine winger Juan Cruz Mallia was yellow-carded for a head knock with counterpart Makazole Mapimpi.

The