In their final pool match of the 2022/23 Vodacom United Rugby season, the Cell C Sharks and Munster played out to a 22-all draw in quite the most intense of games witnessed at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday evening.
In a combative and hugely competitive, confrontational clash, Munster brought a side with a different mindset to the one that conceded 50 points three weeks ago on this self-same pitch, but it was the Cell C Sharks who simply had too much energy and power, exerting the necessary pressure to limit their Irish visitors’ every effort.
It was a fond, but very sad farewell for two fan favourites, Thomas du Toit who has spent the last 10 years at the Cell C Sharks, while no less of a beloved member of the team, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who played their final games at Hollywoodbets before embarking on adventures new.
Kolisi was involved twice in the movement that set his team up perfectly to strike early, a dominant scrum in Munster’s 22 and then a penalty, lineout and powerful driving maul with Bongi Mbonambi breaking and smashing through three defenders to score the opening try.
Sadly Kolisi took a knock that saw him leave the field and to rapturous applause from the appreciative crowd he closed out his last appearance at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Munster finally managed to open their account with a penalty after 15 minutes, having failed in their efforts to score a try with good continuity on attack, but repelled by brave and committed defence from the Cell C Sharks.
The Cell C Sharks went over for their second try on the half hour mark, Munster having lost a man to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle and from the ensuing penalty to touch, the ball was recycled from the lineout maul and Werner Kok had the pace and power to drive through the defence and score. Bosch converted and his team were in a handy 12-3 lead.
Sadly Bosch’s heroics in the air finally cost him as he fielded a high ball and took a knock, necessitating his departure, with a welcome return to action for Aphelele Fassi and a rejig of the backline, Boeta Chamberlain shifting to flyhalf.
Try number three came off another dominant scrum, the penalty sent to touch and from the lineout maul, Mbonambi was again dominant, but held up short. Sikhumbuzo Notshe roared in, picked up the ball and dived over, with Chamberlain adding the extras just before the stroke of half-time, the Cell C Sharks leading 19-3 at the break and full value for their 16 point lead.
Chamberlain struck a 40m penalty when Munster suffered another scrum loss early in the second half to push the lead to 19 points but were awarded a penalty try just short of the half hour remaining mark to cut the lead to 22-10.
Munster somehow managed to craft a somewhat fortuitous try against the run of play, the conversion striking the upright and the lead now just seven points with 25 minutes left to play.
Munster’s confidence was at its highest point in the game and sensing a major upset, mauled over for their third try, the conversion levelling matters at 22 points apiece with 15 minutes remaining.
Both sides threw everything into a final score that would give them the win, and Munster came close in the final play of the game, but were held up thanks to the brave defence, with the spoils shared.
This was a match of epic, test-match proportions, with all the intensity of a final, a fitting end to the pool stages of this year’s URC tournament and a wonderful advert for the game.