Sharks edge Munster in penalty shootout epic to seal all-South African SF

Sharks booked their spot in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals after a dramatic shootout decider saw them edge past Munster in Durban.

After drawing 24-24 in regulation time, neither side could find a winning score in extra time as the game boiled down to kicks from the 15 and then 10-metre line, where Rory Scannell missed his effort for Munster and the Sharks went on to kick all six of their attempts to reach the final four.

The visitors had taken the lead nine minutes into the first half when Jack Crowley’s cross-field kick bounced up for Calvin Nash to grasp and dive over the line before Crowley added the extras, but the match evolved into a scrappy encounter as both Crowley and Jaden Hendrikse sent penalties wide.

The game burst into life after the break and the Sharks capitalised on their bright start when Ethan Hooker cut in from the right wing, weaving around the Munster defence to score, with Hendrikse converting before sending his side ahead with a penalty.

Fineen Wycherley then squeezed through a gap to cross following a quick Munster break, with Crowley’s kick successful and they extended their advantage when the hosts were unable to defend Mike Haley’s kick, allowing Diarmuid Kilgallen to pounce on the loose ball and ground before Crowley converted.

The Sharks staged an impressive comeback with two tries in the final 15 minutes, pulling one back when Aphelele Fassi crossed, with Hendrikse converting and Fez Mbatha struck after breaking through the visiting defence on the tryline to ground before Hendrikse added the extras.

Conor Murray’s successful penalty from just inside his own half levelled the score at 24-24 to send the game to extra time and Hendrikse had a drop goal attempt brilliantly blocked by Thomas Ahern before the contest reached its climax with a shootout, where the Sharks claimed victory.