Sharks 26 - 20 Leinster

Full time

03 Oct 2026

Stage: Regular Season Round 2

Hollywoodbets Kings Park

🎉 1

The Sharks secured a narrow victory over Leinster Rugby, finishing 26-20 in a closely contested match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Leinster took an early lead with a try from Henshaw, converted by Gabriel, making it 7-0. The Sharks responded with two quick tries, first from Tshituka and then Bester, to take a 12-7 lead at halftime. In the second half, Clarkson's try briefly put Leinster ahead but Esterhuizen's successful effort restored the Sharks' advantage. Moyo's conversion extended their lead to 21-15 after Esterhuizen's try. Van der Merwe sealed the deal with a late try, although Osborne added a consolation score for Leinster. This match marked a significant turnaround for the Sharks after recent defeats to Leinster.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: Ireland

Weather

Temperature: 22.2°C (Feels like 21.9°C) Condition: PartlyCloudy Wind: 9.1 km/h, gusting to 17.8 km/h Humidity: 76% Cloud Cover: 54%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
16'

Try

Robbie Henshaw · Leinster

0 - 5
17'

Conversion

Caspar Gabriel · Leinster

0 - 7
25'

Try

Manu Tshituka · Sharks

5 - 7
26'

Conversion

Vusi Moyo · Sharks

7 - 7
32'

Missed Drop Goal

Caspar Gabriel · Leinster
37'

Yellow Card

Thomas Clarkson · Leinster
39'

Substitution

Niall Smyth on for Andrew Osborne · Leinster
40'

Try

Litelihle Bester · Sharks

12 - 7
Halftime 12 - 7
Second Half
41'

Conversion

Vusi Moyo · Sharks

14 - 7
46'

Substitution

Andrew Osborne on for Niall Smyth · Leinster
47'

Yellow Card Complete

Thomas Clarkson · Leinster
48'

Try

Thomas Clarkson · Leinster

14 - 12
48'

Substitution

Brian Deeny on for Alan Spicer · Leinster
50'

Substitution

Sam Prendergast on for Caspar Gabriel · Leinster
53'

Substitution

Hanro Jacobs on for Vincent Koch · Sharks
53'

Substitution

Eben Etzebeth on for Jason Jenkins · Sharks
54'

Substitution

Ox Nche on for Thomas du Toit · Sharks
54'

Substitution

Ethan Bester on for Esethu Mnebelele · Sharks
54'

Substitution

Matt Romao on for Nick Hatton · Sharks
61'

Substitution

Hugo McLaughlin on for Todd Lawlor · Leinster
61'

Substitution

Ethan Hooker on for Litelihle Bester · Sharks
65'

Penalty

Sam Prendergast · Leinster

14 - 15
68'

Try

Andre Esterhuizen · Sharks

19 - 15
69'

Conversion

Vusi Moyo · Sharks

21 - 15
69'

Substitution

Ivan van Zyl on for Jaden Hendrikse · Sharks
69'

Substitution

Ciaran Mangan on for Josh Ericson · Leinster
73'

Substitution

Niall Smyth on for Thomas Clarkson · Leinster
73'

Substitution

Gus McCarthy on for Ronan Kelleher · Leinster
75'

Substitution

Oliver Coffey on for Fintan Gunne · Leinster
77'

Try

Edwill van der Merwe · Sharks

26 - 15
78'

Substitution

Alex Usanov on for Andrew Porter · Leinster
80'

Try

Andrew Osborne · Leinster

26 - 20
Fulltime 26 - 20

Player ratings

Sharks

15 Luan Giliomee 6.6
14 Edwill van der Merwe 8.4
13 Jurenzo Julius 7.1
12 Andre Esterhuizen 7.6
11 Litelihle Bester 6.8
10 Vusi Moyo 6.4
9 Jaden Hendrikse 7.4
1 Thomas du Toit 7.3
2 Esethu Mnebelele 7.0
3 Vincent Koch 7.4
4 Jason Jenkins 7.6
5 Darrien Landsberg 5.6
6 Phepsi Buthelezi 7.2
7 Manu Tshituka 8.4
8 Nick Hatton 7.3
16 Ethan Bester 6.8
17 Ox Nche 6.5
18 Hanro Jacobs 6.2
19 Eben Etzebeth 6.7
20 Matt Romao 6.2
21 Ivan van Zyl 6.4
22 Zekhethelo Siyaya –
23 Ethan Hooker 5.8

Leinster

15 Todd Lawlor 6.6
14 Tommy O'Brien 6.0
13 Hugh Cooney 5.8
12 Robbie Henshaw 6.3
11 Andrew Osborne 7.6
10 Caspar Gabriel 5.4
9 Fintan Gunne 6.6
1 Andrew Porter 6.4
2 Ronan Kelleher 6.8
3 Thomas Clarkson 4.8
4 Conor O'Tighearnaigh 6.7
5 Alan Spicer 6.5
6 Ryan Baird 7.4
7 Josh van der Flier 6.1
8 Josh Ericson 6.5
16 Gus McCarthy –
17 Alex Usanov –
18 Niall Smyth 5.7
19 Brian Deeny 6.4
20 Ciaran Mangan 5.8
21 Oliver Coffey –
22 Sam Prendergast 5.8
23 Hugo McLaughlin 6.0