South Africans are bringing 'a proper challenge' to URC

As Leinster and the Sharks were trading tries at the RDS on Saturday, it was hard not to be greedy and hope their paths cross again at the business end of the season.

The prospect of a Champions Cup or BKT United Rugby Championship knock-out game between the pair, with both sides fully stacked, is one most neutrals can only hope for.

Even without their seven Springbok regulars, the Durban side caused Leinster real problems for the opening hour of their Round 4 meeting, until the international experience and depth of Leinster's squad paid dividends in the final quarter.

The Sharks, and their fellow South African teams, have started the season in a similar fashion to how they ended it, and have showed they're adapted to the travel and style of rugby in the northern hemisphere.

They're proving to be a decent draw too, with just under 17,000 at the RDS on Saturday to watch the likes of Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Thaakir Abrahams and Ben Tapuai carve up Leinster's defence on multiple occasions.

"I think that's what the crowd want to see - all action performances," said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen after the 54-34 win.

"A huge amount of work goes into the refereeing of the game and refs are under a lot of pressure, but I think that's the game you want to see.

"Last week it was very difficult with the conditions in Ravenhill so when you get a nice day like today you want to see a good entertaining game and get people to come back and watch it again."

After years of Ireland's provinces dominating the competition, the Bulls and Stormers broke up the monopoly last season, while the early stages of the new campaign would indicate the Sharks and Lions will be right up in the playoff mix this year.

"It is great to see this type of test