Italy wing Ange Capuozzo scored a hat-trick as Toulouse thrashed the Sharks at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday.
Having raced out to a 28-0 lead after 24 minutes, the six-times champions went off the boil before finishing strongly to win their Investec Champions Cup opener 56-19.
Outgoing Sharks coach John Plumtree opted to rest his Springboks while backing youth against a star-studded Toulouse side, so it was always going to be a case of damage control for the Durbanites.
It says something about the state of Sharks rugby that they will be relatively satisfied with the scoreline.
It took Toulouse less than three minutes to strike when Capuozzo collected fullback Thomas Ramos’ cross-kick. That was followed by hooker Julien Marchand’s brace and a score from centre Kalvin Gourgues.
Appelez les pompiers, Gourgues est en feu
Suivez notre direct
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Sharks captain Nick Hatton stopped the rot with a try and the visitors were able to keep Toulouse out for the rest of the half.
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Antoine Dupont made a popular entry off the bench early in the second half, but it was Sharks scrumhalf Ross Braude who scored the next try.
Ross Braude’s quick thinking gets the Sharks their second try
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It took until the 63rd minute for Toulouse to add to their tally when Capuozzo grabbed his second, after which replacement loose forward Mathis Castro-Ferreira went over from a maul.
Capuozzo then completed his hat-trick after chasing down his kick and while centre Le Roux Malan picked up a third try for the Sharks, Toulouse had the final say when midfielder Teddy Thomas scored their eighth.
The Sharks return to Durban to face Saracens on Saturday, with interim coach JP Pietersen in charge.
TOULOUSE – Tries: Ange Capuozzo (3), Julien Marchand (2), Kalvin Gourgues, Mathis Castro-Ferreira, Teddy Thomas. Conversion: Thomas Ramos (8).
SHARKS – Tries: Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Le Roux Malan. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse, Jean Smith.
Photo: @StadeToulousain/X
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