The curtain came down on the BKT United Rugby Championship as the Final Eight match-ups were decided. The Cell C Sharks took their final place in the quarter-finals as they drew with Munster but their spot was already confirmed on Friday when Benetton went down to the DHL Stormers.
The Cell C Sharks however did not qualify to play in the Heineken Champions Cup in 2024 and will join the Emirates Lions in the European Challenge Cup.
“We were so in control at half-time but did not respect the game enough in the 10 to 15 minutes after half-time. They got momentum and belief they could get back into the game. We were simply not clinical enough to put them away."
On missing out on the Heineken Champions Cup: "Unfortunately, that is it, the situation. We had to beat Munster to give ourselves a chance to make it into the Heineken Cup.”
On facing Leinster: "We all know about Leinster’s quality and their brand of rugby. It is a massive challenge to beat them away. But we showed what we can do in that first 40 minutes against Munster. If we can put it together for 80 minutes we can beat anyone.”