Third loss on spin for Munster as Sharks bare teeth in Durban

The month-long league break for the November international window cannot come soon enough for Graham Rowntree’s beleaguered and injury-hit side after they were outmuscled by a Springbok-heavy pack and conceded more than four tries for the fifth match in six rounds.

A late Tadhg Beirne try delivered a four-try bonus point but otherwise it was another difficult day on the road for Munster, who conceded the first try to full-back Aphalele Fassi after just 44 seconds and trailed 31-10 at half-time following further scores from South Africa wing Makezole Mapimpi, scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Andre Esterhuizen, Tom Ahern and Mike Haley replying for Munster.

The Sharks’ defence was busier in the second half with centre Lukhanyo Am engineering a tryline turnover shortly after the break, and Alex Kendellen and Tadhg Beirne both held up over the line but the Sharks’ dominance in this contest was never genuinely threatened and John Plumtree’s side extended their lead through a Jordan Hendriske penalty and a chargedown try from a Billy Burns kick by flanker Vincent Tshituka. 

Calvin Nash gave Munster hope of a bonus-point try with a well-finished 73rd minute try, his side’s third of the afternoon and the visitors duly added a fourth at the death as captain Beirne grabbed a vital point from close range with the clock past 80.

Returning to Ireland with that bonus point could prove crucial come the end of the season but head coach Rowntree and his backroom staff have plenty of work to do before the Lions visit Thomond Park on November 30, possibly boosted by the return of a group of fit-again players, for their next league game, including a tour match against an All Blacks XV in Limerick next Saturday.

SHARKS: A Fassi; E Keyter, L Am, A Esterhuizen (F Venter, 59), M Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse (S Masuku, 71), G Williams (Jaden Hendrikse, 59); O Nche (N Mchunu, 62), B Mbonambi (F Mbatha, 62), V Koch (T Nyakane, 62); E Etzebeth – captain, E van Heerden (J Jenkins, 49); J Venter, V Tshituka, S Kolisi.

Yellow Card: J Venter 54-64 Replacements not used: R Dreyer, P Bhutelezi.

MUNSTER: M Haley; C Nash, T Farrell, R Scannell (B Burns, 62), S O’Brien; J Crowley, C Casey (E Coughlan, 67); J Ryan (K Ryan, 67-77), N Scannell (D Barron, 50), S Archer (R Foxe, 72); J Kleyn (F Wycherley, 50), T Beirne - captain; T Ahern (R Quinn, 50), J Hodnett (A Kendellen, 50), J O’Donoghue.

Referee: Hollie Davison (Scotland).