The fact that the Sharks are flying the South African flag in European rugby competitions shouldn't come as a surprise if a peek is taken into their history.
After all, they were South Africa's first proper Super Rugby flag bearers, when in the first three years of the Super 12, the Sharks made one final (1996, having won a semi-final away from home against the Reds in Brisbane) and competed in two other semi-finals where on both occasions, they lost to the team that ended up winning the tournament (the Blues in 1997 and the Crusaders in 1998).
If it wasn't for tournament rules, Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Clermont should have been at Kings Park instead of Twickenham's Stoop.