Munster Rugby devoured by seven-try Sharks in crushing URC defeat in Durban

MUNSTER Rugby shipped a crushing 45-0 defeat to the Hollywoodbets Sharks in humid, wet conditions in their United Rugby Championship clash at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

This was the first of two fixtures that Munster will face in the URC on their tour to South Africa as Clayton McMillan's side take on the Vodcom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoonnext, 12noon Irish time.

Saturday's heavy defeat to the Sharks leaves Munster with a fierce battle on their hands if they are to secure a top eight finish in the URC. Three of Munster's remaining five regular season fixtures are away from home. 

Munster conceded seven tries in all, including three in the final four minutes, as the Sharks boosted their hopes of securing a top eight play-off spot in the URC.

King’s Park in Durban remains the only South African venue Munster haven’t won at in the URC era.

Munster have now lost five of their last six games away from home in all competitions. In recording this emphatic victory the Sharks side continued their good form in Durban, winning six of their last sevent outings at home.

Ireland Six Nations players Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman are joining the Munster squad later this week.

Two more Ireland Six Nations squad members, Tom Farrell and Michael Milne started the game in Durban, with Edwin Edogbo introduced off the bench. Back-rower Brian Gleeson, who trained with Ireland last week, was also among the replacements Munster called on during the game.

Out-half JJ Hanrahan captained Munster Rugby for the first time on his 155th appearance for the province and 150th game in the URC.

Munster and the Sharks had been involved in an epic and controversial URC quarter-final showdown last season also in South Africa. A 24-24 draw in Durban saw a place-kicking competition required to separate them, with tempers rising during the shootout after some antics from Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse.

Munster Rugby trailed 0-12 at half-time in the latest meeting between the sides, struggling in the very humid conditions and coming off second best against a dominant Sharks scrum.

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The visitors, who also had issues at line-out time, contributed to their own difficulties, racking up too many handling errors, a number of which, no doubt, were caused by a greasy ball as a result of the humid weather.

The Sharks took the lead in the seventh minute after Phendulani Buthelezi dotted down following a well-executed maul. Jordan Hendrikse added the extra for a 7-0 advantage to the home side. 

The Sharks then added a second try jut before the half hour mark when Luan Giliomee crossed the whitewash. 

Andre Esterhuizen made in-roads in the visitors defence with a powerful carry. Yaw Penxe then threw a spectacular offload near the touchline with Luan Giliomee flying over the try-line for the score. The young full-back was scoring a try on debut.

Munster did threaten to score a try on a number of occasions in the opening half. However, their hopes were scuppered by a combination of a lack of composure, handling errors and some resolute Sharks defence. 

The Sharks maintained their 12-point advantage until half-time as Munster's scrum continued to struggle. The visitors coughed up four penalties and a free-kick at the setpiece during the opening half.

Hollywoodbets Sharks, who had lost their three matches played against Irish opposition in the URC this season, tightened their grip on the game 10 minutes into the second half. 

Andre Esterhuizen made an impressive carry off the lineout, before penalty advantage came the Sharks way.

The home side  moved the ball to the right for powerful prop Phatu Ganyane powered over despite the best efforts of Ethan Coughlan and Mike Haley.

The five-pointer was converted by Hendrikse to push the South African side into a 19-0 advantage.

The Sharks then wrapped up the bonus point eighth minutes later. A slick off-lead from Giliomee put Penxe into space and he cleverly chipped the ball down the touchline.

Munster don't deal with the bouncing ball as Hendrikse recovers it brilliantly, before popping off to Williams, who in turn found Emile Van Heerden in space who scored the whitewash.

Hendrikse adds another conversion for 26-0.

The South Africans added three tries in the final four minutes, including a brace from their Springboks star Makazole Mapimpi and another from Le Roux Malan. 

The two sides have now met on seven occasions in all competitions with there yet to be an away victory in the series.

SCORERS: Hollywoodbets Sharks: Makazole Mapimpi two tries, Phepsi Buthelezi, Luan Giliomee, Phatu Ganyane, Emile van Heerden, Le-Roux Malan try each, Jordan Hendrikse three cons, Jean Smith two cons. Munster Rugby: 

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS: Luan Giliomee, Yaw Penxe, Le Roux Malan, Andre Esterhuizen (Capt), Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Grant Williams; Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Nick Hatton. Replacements: Eduan Swart, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Jannes Potgieter, Bradley Davids, Jean Smith, Hakeen Kunene

MUNSTER RUGBY: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly, JJ Hanrahan (Capt), Ethan Coughlan; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern Seán Edogbo, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley, Paddy Patterson, Dan Kelly, Brian Gleeson.

REFEREE: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)