Bongi Mbonambi scored two second-half tries at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon as the Sharks became the first South African team to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.
Leading 17-14 at half time, the hosts turned on the afterburners to score five tries in the second half as they ran away to a convincing 50-35 victory.
Flyhalf Curwin Bosch opened the scoring with a penalty but, moments later, Munster winger Shane Daly exploited the defence out wide before cutting back inside, scoring the first try of the game.
The hosts then scored a beauty, Makazole Mapimpi slicing through the defence before offloading to Jaden Hendrikse who had just enough wheels to get across the line for a 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Here comes the hotstepper ??
Outrageous feet from @Makazole16 and Jaden Hendrikse is on his shoulder to touch down ?@SharksRugby regain the lead ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/WOcNv3Nd4Q
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 1, 2023
Reaping the rewards for generating momentum, Eben Etzebeth then powered in for a try from a pick and go before Munster hit back through prop Dave Kilcoyne as they headed into the break trailing 17-14.
? @EbenEtzebeth ? RG Snyman ?
It's a clash of the titans in Durban and first blood goes to Etzebeth as he rides a challenge from Snyman to score @SharksRugby's second try ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/o24GPzIB8d
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 1, 2023
Shortly after the restart, skipper Siya Kolisi turned down an easy three, instead opting to go for the corner where Mbonambi surged off the back of the maul to score, Bosch adding the conversion.
One try became two for Mbonambi, again off the back of a maul as the Sharks began to stretch their lead.
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The hosts grew in confidence, displaying their class and running from everywhere as Werner Kok went over after some excellent handling.
The tries began to rain down at Kings Park as Bosch intercepted a loose pass in the trams near halfway and sprinted away to score. Munster replied with a maul try minutes later credited to replacement hooker Diarmuid Barron.
Next it was Mapimpi’s turn to convert an interception into a try as the hosts reached the half century mark.
5️⃣0️⃣ not out@Makazole16 gets in on the action! Once he's away, you're not catching him…
Would you want to play @SharksRugby in the quarters? ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/jT2Afkyfwn
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 1, 2023
Munster refused to lie down, grabbing their fourth and fifth tries of the day through fullback Mike Daley and replacement lock Fineen Wycherley and the final points of the game, bringing an end to a truly frantic second half.
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While the Sharks will celebrate a great victory they will be hoping for good news on the injury status of key Springboks as Hendrikse and Etzebeth both of whom were forced to the bench for the second half.
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images/Getty Images