The Sharks combined brilliance on the attack with brilliant defence to secure a bonus-point 45-00 win over Munster in Durban, and kept their hopes alive to still qualify for the United Rugby Championship playoffs.
The Sharks made a dominant start to the match, and following wave after wave of attacks, Phepsi Buthelezi crashed over Munster’s tryline. Jordan Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 07-00 after eight minutes of play in the first half.
The Sharks continued their dominance and, once again, following wave after wave of attacks combined with brilliant interplay, Luan Giliomee danced his way over Munster’s tryline for his first try in the United Rugby Championship.
The Sharks led 12-00 at the end of the first half.
The arm wrestle continued in the second half, and the Sharks’ Phatu Ganyane bulldozed his way over Munster’s tryline. Jordan Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks' lead to 19-00 after twelve minutes of play in the second half.
The Sharks’ attacks are busy overwhelming Munster, and following great passing and interplay led to Emile van Heerden crashing over for the Sharks’ bonus point try. Jordan Hendrikse converted to extend the Sharks’ lead to 26-00.
Le Roux Malan controlled a box kick and scored the Sharks' fifth try, which was converted by Jean Smith to lead 33-00 with two minutes still to play.
However, the Sharks were not done yet as Makazole Mapimpi showed he still has pace to spare when he first won the race to fall on his own kick to score his first try, and a minute later, he caught the resulting kick-off and raced sixty meters to score his second try. Jean Smith converted both tries to secure a 45-00 win against Munster.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Phepsi Buthelezi, Luan Giliomee, Phatu Ganyane, Emile van Heerden, Le Roux Malan, Makazole Mapimpi (2). Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3), Jean Smith (2).
Munster Rugby:
Teams
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Nick Hatton, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Hakeen Kunene.
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 JJ Hanrahan (captain), 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Seán Edogbo,5 Tom Ahern, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Fineen Wycherley, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Dan Kelly, 23 Brian Gleeson.