United Rugby Championship: Leaders Leinster battle to 10-7 win over Sharks in Durban

Leinster had to repel early Sharks pressure before exploiting scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse’s yellow card to notch their first score in the 20th minute as McErlean touched down after running on to a superb long pass from scrum-half Fintan Gunne, who was making his first start for the Irish province.

The Sharks fought back to produce intense pressure before half-time but Leinster held firm to go in 5-0 at the break.

Leinster then produced a fast start to the second half which yielded Penny’s 47th-minute try after Ciaran Frawley found a gap in the Sharks defence.

Inexplicably, fly-half Frawley hit the woodwork with the simple looking conversion but Leinster had nevertheless increased their advantage to 10-0.

Given the strength of the Sharks pack, it was inevitable that there would be a response and it arrived within four minutes as hooker Bongi Mbonambi touched down with Jordan Hendrikse adding the extras.

As the Sharks continued to press, Frawley performed heroics in the 57th minute to hold up Ethan Hooker after the wing had crossed the Leinster line.

Despite attacking moments from both sides, there were no further scores in the final quarter – although Leinster had to survive their nervy finish after the Sharks were awarded a penalty on the Irish province’s 10-metre line.

Sharks: Penxe; Hooker, Julius, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, Koch; Jenkins, van Heerden; Venter, V Tshituka, Kolisi (captain).

Replacements: Mbatha, Mchunu, Dreyer, Rahl, M Tshituka, Davids, Masuku, Venter.

Leinster: J O’Brien; T O’Brien, Turner, Tector, Osborne; Frawley, Gunne; Healy, McKee, Clarkson; Mangan, Deeny; Soroka, Connors, Deegan (captain). Replacements: Barron, Milne, McGuire, Spicer, Penny, Coffey, Byrne, McErlean