Gloucester 22-36 Sharks: Bomb Squad end Gloucester’s quest for cup double by becoming first South Africans to win a ‘European’ title with victory in Challenge Cup Final

South African’s deadly Bomb Squad detonated English dreams again last night as Gloucester’s quest for a cup Double was wrecked by the Sharks’ scrum blitz in Tottenham.

Last autumn, England narrowly lost their World Cup semi-final against the Springboks due to a set-piece onslaught led by Oc Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, and that trio were the heroes of this Challenge Cup Final. 

By the time they were replaced to a thunderous ovation midway through the second half, Gloucester were doomed.

Former Saracens prop Koch added a dazzling flourish with a 50-22 kick and afterwards spoke of the Sharks’ pride at becoming the first South African team to win a ‘European’ title. 

Up in the stands, Racing 92 tighthead Trevor Nyakane danced and shouted ‘Bomb Squad’ in tribute to his Bok front-row friends.

Sharks celebrate winning the Challenge Cup Final as they beat Gloucester in Tottenham 

Part of Shark’s ‘Bomb Squad’ Bongi Mbonambi kisses the Challenge Cup trophy after win 

Sharks Makazole Mapimp flies in for a second half try during the 36-22 win over Gloucester 

For Gloucester, there was no redemption after the ridicule which followed their 90-0 humiliation at Northampton 13 days earlier. 

Ultimately, the ploy by George Skivington to prioritise this fixture didn’t work. The West Country club were well beaten.

It wasn’t a cricket score this time, but it was emphatic enough, despite late consolation tries by Santiago Socino and Freddie Clarke.

With huge support in the stands, Gloucester exerted early pressure, before the Sharks pack turned the screw – with their mighty captain Eben Etzebeth another leading performer. 

The defeat for Gloucester ended their hopes of landing a cup double this season 

Zach Mercer was striving to make another strong case for an England tour call-up, but the No 8 was up-staged by opposite number Phepsi Buthelezi, who scored a barnstorming solo try.

Skivington was proud of his side’s effort but said of the victors: ‘That front row has dominated some of the best scrums in world rugby. 

They have lots of World Cup-winners and they squeezed us.’ Looking at the bigger picture, he added: ‘Getting to the big knock-out games and playing in these big stadiums is what we want to do. This is a glimpse of what Gloucester can be.’