There was high drama in the Hollywoodbets Sharks Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on a stunning Durban evening on Saturday as extra time could not determine a winner, which left goal-kicking to separate the two teams.
It becomes a historic first semi-final for the Hollywoodbets Sharks as they now meet the Vodacom Bulls in the semi-finals having defeated Munster in a tense quarter-final that had every element of drama throughout.
After a pulsating opening 10 minutes, Munster scored the opening try, a well-worked build-up before the ball was kicked for the wing to chase and the visitors were first to dent the scoreboard, with the touchline conversion taking them into a 7-nil lead.
The rhythm of the game took on a knock-out of test match proportions, some tight play and conservative tactics, although Munster’s kicking game kept the ball in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ half, threatening a second score but not able to break through the brave defences.
The final 10 minutes truly lit up as a number of determined Hollywoodbets Sharks attacks gave Munster a real fright, the Durban side looking to smash their way through the defence and coming close numerous times.
They were unable to finish unfortunately, not through any lack of trying, and Munster were able to somehow cling on to their seven-point lead against the odds and take their converted try lead into the break.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks first half energy continued into the second half, but there was no stopping them as they crafted a quite superb attack with Ethan Hooker turning on the afterburners as he ran a scintillating line to beat off the efforts of three defenders, with Jaden Hendrikse converting to level matters after six exciting minutes of the second period.
The momentum change in a game can be quite remarkable, particularly the belief it brings to a side who has arrested the pressure and turned it around. With their confidence lifted, another strong build-up was thwarted, but illegally so, and Hendrikse sent his team into the lead for the first time in the game with a well struck penalty.
But Munster have proven in the past that they don’t take adversity lightly, striking back almost immediately with a long range attack that culminated in their second try as the game headed for the final quarter, the conversion handing them a 14-10 lead.
Minutes later Munster had their third try, a kick ahead eluding Makazole Mapimpi and the chaser dotting down just shy of the dead ball line, with the conversion giving them a 21-10 lead with 18 minutes remaining.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks camped in the Munster 22 from the kick-off, with the visitors conceding four penalties trying to defend their line, before a lovely move off another dominant scrum saw Aphelele Fassi round the defence to score, with Jaden Hendrikse converting to cut the lead to 21-17 with 12 minutes left to play.
With momentum on their side, a huge effort from Andre Esterhuizen, bruising all game and making massive contributions on attack got his team on the front foot, before Fez Mbatha rounded the close-quarter defence to score the try that took his side back into the lead, with Jaden Hendrikse again on target to provide a three point lead with the final five minutes remaining.
A penalty for Munster drew the teams level and they managed to hold out until the regulation final whistle, providing extra time for the players and spectators.
The first half of added time was thrill-a-minute stuff, the Hollywoodbets Sharks clearly dominant, but not quite able to turn pressure into points.
The second half was a replica, again the Hollywoodbets Sharks the better team but not able to lead and victory.
The rules stated that in the event of a draw after extra time, the winner would be the team who scored the most tries in the game, which again was evenly-shared.
Which left the result down to a place-kicking competition.
Jaden Hendrikse succeeded with his kick, his Munster counterpart did the same.
Brother Jaden was spot on from wider out, Munster sent theirs wide.
Leaving Bradley Davids with a tough shot, but he too banged his over. As did Munster.
Stepping back to the 10m line, Jaden Hendrikse was successful once again, so too Munster. From the right, Jaden Hendrikse pumped his fist as his shot sailed through the posts, but his counterpart struck gold too. As was Bradley Davids. And that was the game!