The Hollywoodbets Sharks opened their 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup campaign against an internationally-laden Toulouse side at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday afternoon going down 56-19.
Losing just one home game in 15 months, Toulouse, with their 12 internationals, were always going to present an incredibility tough challenge to the young Hollywoodbets Sharks side.
While the scoreline might suggest one-way traffic, that wasn’t always the case and while their pedigree is without question, the hosts certainly had to battle against a determined Hollywoodbets Sharks side that may have found the going tough, but displayed the kind of never-say-die attitude that wins a lot of friends.
It took the hosts three minutes to imprint their game on the visitors, a strong driving maul setting them up nicely before a cross-kick found the try-scorer in space for a regulation try in the corner, the conversion giving them an early lead.
The ensuing 10 minutes saw the Durban side impress on attack, but for a lineout steal by the hosts to deny a possible try, before the French closed out a similar scenario, kicking a penalty to touch, winning the lineout and mauling the ball over, and with the extras from the boot pushed the scoreboard to 14-0.
A powerful scrum effort from Toulouse at the start of the second quarter put them into a third scoring position and they wasted no time with a strong drive from the ensuing maul, the third successful touchline conversion extending the lead to 21 points.
An absolute menace at the breakdowns, Toulouse took great reward at the tackle and a quick tap penalty two minutes later brought about the bonus point try and a 28-point lead.
The fifth try of the game did not go the way of the home side, a quality lineout take and then a lovely mini break from flyhalf Ross Braude who fed a rampaging Nick Hatton and the eighthman needed no compass as he barged through the last defender and over the tryline.
Despite the severe pressure the Hollywoodbets Sharks found themselves under during the remaining 10 minutes, resolute and determined defence under severe pressure saw them frustrate the home side who created a handful of scoring opportunities only to be denied by a brave effort on defence.
A determined Hollywoodbets Sharks side came out breathing fire in the second half and a dominant display saw them rewarded with the first try of the period, Ross Braude diving over after a lovely effort and strong build-up that they finished perfectly, with Jodan Hendrikse converting to cut the deficit to 16 points.
After dominating the third quarter, the pressure turned and Toulouse finally found themselves deep in enemy territory and showed their killer instinct with a well-taken converted try to push the lead to 35-12 with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Minutes later Toulouse went over from another lineout maul, the conversion from out wide successful for a 100% record and a 42-12 lead with just over 10 minutes left to play.
Two minutes later, Italian international wing Ange Capuozzo went over for his hat-trick, the conversion taking the French to 49 points, but a sustained build-up from the visitors saw Le Roux Malan capping off an impressive overall performance for his maiden try, but it was Toulouse who had the last say, tired legs all over finally providing the space to exploit and close out the game on a high for their fans.