Boks help Sale win first title in 14 years

PREMIERSHIP CUP REPORT: Sale Sharks produced a second-half comeback to defeat Harlequins 27-19 in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Tries from Curtis Langdon and Springboks Dan du Preez and Faf de Klerk helped the Manchester club end a 14-year wait for silverware.

Bok flyhalf Robert du Preez also contributed 12 points with the boot.

The Premiership Rugby Cup is a knockout cup competition for teams in Premiership Rugby.

The hosts started strongly and took a 10-0 lead thanks to Langdon’s converted try and a penalty from Robert du Preez.

But Harlequins recovered to take a 16-10 lead into the break, following James Chisholm’s try and 11 points from the boot of Marcus Smith.

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Faf de Klerk gives @JamalNiaz his immediate post match reaction after lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup! 🏆🦈@MorsonGroup pic.twitter.com/CK1zzOA6aO

— Sale Sharks🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) September 21, 2020

A further penalty from Smith extended Quins’ lead to nine points and the writing appeared to be on the wall for Sharks with 15 minutes left.

However, Dan du Preez powered over the whitewash before Robert du Preez added the conversion and a penalty to nudge Sharks 20-19 ahead.

And Steve Diamond’s men made sure of the result with just minutes left when De Klerk crossed, converted once again by Robert du Preez, to seal a memorable victory.

The scorers:

For Sale Sharks:
Tries: Langdon, D du Preez, De Klerk
Cons: R Du Preez 3
Pens: R du Preez 2

For Harlequins:
Try: Chisholm
Con: Smith
Pens: Smith 4

All class from @SaleSharksRugby ❤️

They lift the Premiership Rugby Cup and dedicate it to their beloved kitman Alan Blease who passed away in July. pic.twitter.com/wh4eIIYwM7

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 21, 2020