Champions Cup result: Sharks power past Munster, qualify for quarter-finals

The Sharks beat Munster 50-35 in a try-fest last-16 Champions Cup match played in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

The Sharks will now face either French giants Toulouse or the South African opponents, the Bulls, in the quarter-finals of Europe’s biggest club rugby competition.

In a high-scoring game in which 12 tries were scored, the Sharks got seven and Munster five.

Second half blitz

Neil Powell’s Durban-based side took control of the match in the early part of the second half when the Sharks scored four tries in 13 minutes to knock the wind out of the Munster players.

After both the Sharks and Munster scored two tries each in the first half, it was an even contest as the second half started with the home team 17-14 up.

But by the 58th minute the Sharks were 43-14 up after four more tries — two by Bongi Mbonambi and one each by Werner Kok and Curwin Bosch.

The Sharks’ first half tries were scored by Jaden Hendrikse, who had to leave the field with an arm injury after the try in the 16th minute, and Eben Etzebeth, who crossed in the 25th minute and he, too, picked up an injury which would keep him out of the action in the second half.

Makazole Mapimpi got his team’s seventh try in the 64th minute, while in the latter stages of the match Munster were able to add three tries to their two in the first half.

Much-improved Sharks

It was a much-improved showing by Powell’s team who crashed in the URC to Scarlets the week before.

The pack was solid, with Gerbrandt Grobler leading the way, and he was followed by Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi and Etzebeth before he departed the scene.

At the back Bosch played well and kicked superbly at goal, while Mapimpi was full of attacking intent.

Powell though will be concerned about the injuries picked up by Hendrikse and Etzebeth.

From a Springbok perspective, it was good to see lock RG Snyman in very good form for Munster, following all his injury woes of recent times.