The Cell C Sharks travelled to Trevisson to face a Bennetton side that was without twenty-two frontline players and was the favourites to win with relative ease. However, apart from the first half, they lacked commitment and urgency and could only score the bonus point try with seconds left on the clock.
The Sharks dominated the first 40 minutes of the match and deservedly led 21-00 at the break. However, the match was definitely not as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest with Bennetton "still" in the game. The rest of the match "belonged" to the hosts.
07:32 Ruben van Heerden scored the Sharks' first try, being just rewarded after the Sharks set up camp in Benetton's red zone. (00-07)
20:00 The visitors looked as if they would run riot against Bennetton, however, the hosts clawed their way back into the game and were "unlucky" not to have scored a try of their own.
25:28 Aphelele Fassi scored a great try after some slick handling by the backline of the Sharks. (00-14)
40:26 Alessandro Izekor (Bennetton) sent of with a yellow card.
41:42 Phepsi Buthelezi scored the Sharks' third try after a 5m lineout-maul was sacked just before Benetton's tryline. (00-21)
40:00 The Sharks dominated the first 40 minutes of the match and deservedly led 21-00 at the break. However, the match was definitely not as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest with Bennetton "still" in the game.
60:00 The fight in Bennetton is still well and alive with the Sharks being unable to score any points although they are clearly the "better" team on the pitch.
62:08 Lukanyo Am (Sharks) was sent off with a yellow card.
62:48 Carl Wegner scored Bennetton's first points of the match, using his weight to force himself over for a try. (07-21)
72:38 Curwin Bosch converted a penalty for the Sharks. (07-24)
78:35 Sbu Nkosi score the bonus point try in the corner. (07-29)
Scorers:
Bennetton: Try: Carl Wegner. Conversion: Tomas Albornoz.
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Ruben van Heerden, Aphelele Fassie, Phepsi Buthelezi, Sby Nkosi. Conversion: Curwin Bosch (3). Penalty: Curwin Bosch.
Teams
Benetton: 15. Tommy Bell, 14. Tommaso Benvenuti, 13. Joaquin Riera, 12. Filippo Drago, 11. Rhyno Smith, 10. Tomas Albornoz, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage (c), 8. Lorenzo Cannone, 7. Alessandro Izekor, 6. Matteo Meggiato, 5. Carl Wegner, 4. Nicola Piantella, 3. Simone Ferrari, 2. Corniel Els, 1. Federico Zani. Replacements: 16. Tomas Baravalle, 17. Matteo Drudi, 18. Nahuel Tetaz, 19. Thomas Gallo, 20. Yaree Fantini, 21. Luca Petrozzi, 22. Luca Sperandio, 23. Andries Coetzee.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Sibusiso Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (c), 12. Marius Louw, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5. Gerbrandt Grobler, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18. Khutha Mchunu, 19. Le Roux Roets, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23. Werner Kok.