URC Rewind: Sharks vs Munster
Saturday’s quarter-final between the Sharks and Munster in Durban will be the fifth Vodacom URC meeting between the sides.
The Sharks beat Munster at Kings Park earlier in the season and went on to finish third on the log – their best effort since the expanded tournament began in 2021-22.
Munster, meanwhile, needed two home wins, against Ulster and Benetton, to book their place in the top eight and another trip to Durban.
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The Irish club holds a 2-1-1 URC record against the Sharks, but has yet to win at Kings Park.
25 SEPTEMBER 2021: MUNSTER 42-17 SHARKS
The Sharks suffered a heavy defeat in the first round of the inaugural URC, conceding six tries in Limerick.
Winger Simon Zebo and No 8 Gavin Coombes both grabbed a double for the hosts, and while flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain and winger Yaw Penxe scored second-half tries for the visitors, they never looked like overturning a 20-3 deficit at the break.
22 APRIL 2023: SHARKS 22-22 MUNSTER
The Sharks blew a 19-point lead in this final-round stalemate at Kings Park to finish eighth on the URC log and miss out on Champions Cup qualification.
Tries from hooker Bongi Mbonambi, winger Werner Kok and No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe gave the Sharks a 19-3 lead at the break, which became 22-3 early in the second half. But Munster stormed back, scoring three tries and 18 unanswered points to level the scores, and almost won it at the death when held up over the tryline.
21 OCTOBER 2023: MUNSTER 34-21 SHARKS
Munster began their URC title defence with a five-try win in Limerick.
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The champions led 21-7 at half time, with winger Werner Kok’s try giving the Sharks hope. But that was extinguished when scrumhalf Cameron Wright was yellow-carded for a high tackle and Munster scored their bonus-point try while he was off.
26 OCTOBER 2024: SHARKS 41-24 MUNSTER
The Sharks had the five log points in the bag by half time of this round 6 fixture, with tries to fullback Aphelele Fassi, winger Makozole Mapimpi, scrumhalf Grant Williams and centre Andre Esterhuizen giving them a 31-10 lead at the break.
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To their credit, Munster outscored their opponents 14-10 in the second half and grabbed a losing bonus point with a fourth try after the hooter.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
Crédito: Link de origem