Jaguares outplay Sharks to win South African conference
The Argentine Jaguares won the South African conference and secured a home quarter-final in Super Rugby when they outplayed the Coastal Sharks 34-7 in Buenos Aires Saturday.
Full-back Emiliano Boffelli and winger Sebastian Cancelliere scored two tries each as the home side romped to a bonus-point victory after leading 12-0 at half-time.
The winning margin could have been much wider as fly-half Joaquin Diaz Bonilla missed four of eight shots at goal and Boffelli failed with his only penalty attempt.
Topping the South African table confirmed the progress of the Jaguares, who won just four matches of 15 three years ago in their debut season.
Beating the Sharks gave the South Americans a 10 win-five loss record this season and they are set to triumph at home to bottom team the Sunwolves next Friday in the final league round.
If the Jaguares win, they will finish second overall behind runaway leaders the Canterbury Crusaders of New Zealand, and enjoy home advantage again if they reach the semi-finals.
The Crusaders, seeking a third consecutive title and 10th overall, are on 58 points having completed their 16-match regular season schedule.
Jaguares have 46 points and the ACT Brumbies from Australia 43 and both are assured of home quarter-finals, along with the fourth-placed Wellington Hurricanes from New Zealand.
"Winning the South African conference with a match to spare is a wonderful achievement for us," said Jaguares skipper and centre Jeronimo de la Fuente.