Munster’s revenge in the mud as Sharks dominate URC affair in rainy Durban
by Craig Taylor · KickOffThe Sharks have beaten Munster in a United Rugby Championship clash in a wet Durban on Saturday as they ran out 45-0 winners on the night, securing a bonus point in the process.
Munster, who famously lost last year’s quarter-final at the Shark Tank 6-4 on penalty attempts after the match ended 24-24 after extra time, were monstered in the scrums and generally second best in all facets.
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Their handling also let them down throughout the match.
The home side was forced into a change before the match as Siya Kolisi withdrew from the starting XV. That saw Phepsi Buthelezi move to No 6, with Nick Hatton starting at No 8 and Marnus Potgieter coming onto the bench.
The Sharks got off to the perfect start with Phepsi Buthelezi crashing over from an attacking lineout in the seventh minute.
Jordan Hendrikse goaled the conversion to give them a 7-0 lead in front of their home support.
Both sides went hammer and tongs at each other, but excellent defence, and some poor handling, thwarted them until the Sharks extended their lead.
That try came through debutant Luan Giliomee, who had an excellent game, when he crossed over in the left-hand corner after the Sharks had gone wide while in the Munster red zone.
Hendrikse couldn’t convert, but the Sharks led 12-0 in the 29th minute.
And that’s the way it stayed until the break in what was a scrappy first half.
The second half was marked by a constant drizzle, which didn’t make handling any easier for either team.
But the Sharks extended their lead in the 50th minute after an excellent 50-22m kick by debutant Giliomee saw Phatu Ganyane crash over from the resulting lineout for a converted try and a 19-0 lead.
Another converted try followed soon after, this time through lock Emile van Heerden as the Sharks took control of the match at 26-0 with 22 minutes left to play.
The scored another in the 77th minute when centre Le Roux Malan collected a chip behind the tryline to score the Sharks’ fifth try of the evening.
And to round off the perfect evening, Makazole Mapimpi scored twice in his 100th game in the 79th and 80th minutes for the Sharks.
Scores
Sharks 45 (12)
Tries: Phepsi Buthelezi, Luan Giliomee, Phatu Ganyane, Emile van Heerden, Le Roux Malan, Makazole Mapimpi (2)
Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3), Jean Smith (2)
Munster 0 (0)
TEAMS
Sharks
15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 André Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Marnus Potgieter, 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.