mens
united-rugby-championship
Sharks player ratings: The Sharks booked their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals with a penalty shootout win over Munster in Durban.
The hosts had to do it the hard way, though, after a poor first half in which they trailed 0-7 going into the break.
They clawed their way back with some strong performances to make the scores 24-24 and set up a meeting with the Bulls.
Here’s how the players rated:
Match Summary 
15 Aphelele Fassi – 7
Stepped up at some huge moments, scoring a try to claw the Sharks back into the match.
14 Ethan Hooker – 8.5
Produced a moment of magic in the first half when the Sharks where under pressure with a break from his 22 and topped that in the second 40 with a solo try to remember. A Springbok in waiting and Rassie Erasmus would have taken note.
13 Lukhanyo Am – 6
Not a vintage Am display. Not necessarily bad but no moments of note.
12 Andre Esterhuizen – 7
In a tight and attritional match at times, Esterhuizen blasted through the guts of the Munster defence time and time again with 13 carries.
11 Makazole Mapimpi – 7.5
It would have been cruel if the winger’s slip for Diarmuid Kilgallen’s try had cost the Sharks the game as he was heroic all match. Electric every time he got his hands on the ball, carrying for the second-most metres in the match.
10 Jordan Hendrikse – 6.5
Obviously contributed at the end in the shootout, but had a hand in the Sharks’ fightback, particularly his offload for Fassi’s try. That came after a fairly ineffective first half with some weak defence.
9 Jaden Hendrikse – 7.5
Managed the entire 100 minutes and seem to come to life in the penalty shootout, using every trick in the book to get into the head of Jack Crowley, including getting treatment for cramp right next to the Munster kicker while he lined up a kick.
1 Ox Nche – 7.5
When does the loosehead have a bad game? Flew into some collisions and ever-dependable in the scrum.
2 Bongi Mbonambi – 7
Nine carries and seven tackles in under an hour are the kind of returns we’ve come to expect from the double World Cup winner, but that’s a huge effort.
3 Vincent Koch – 6
Would have left the field on 57 minutes wondering if the Sharks’ season was over, as Munster had the upper hand.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 8
Had some sloppy errors in him in the first half – as did the entire Sharks outfit – but upped his game in the second half and willed his side back into the match. Four penalties against his name though.
5 Jason Jenkins – N/A
Forced off the field early on.
6 James Venter – 6
Fatigue probably got the better of the departing flanker late on, with a forward pass and knock-on creeping into his game in extra time.
7 Vincent Tshituka – 8.5
The flanker’s lungs must feel like they’ve been dipped in petrol and set alight after an all-action 100 minutes.
8 Siya Kolisi – 6
Probably a coincidence that the Sharks took control of the game when the Springboks captain left the field, but his 54 minutes were defined by his defensive output more than anything else. With that said, he did have some loose handling in him.
Replacements
16 Fez Mbatha – 7.5
Scored the try that brought the Sharks the lead in the second half and was part of a pack that had complete control of the match, albeit without points to reflect that.
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu – 7
Was part of a dominant Sharks pack after coming on.
18 Hanro Jacobs – 7
The Sharks scrum gained complete control late on, including one monstrous drive during extra time.
19 Emile van Heerden – 7.5
Joint-most tackles for his side after coming on early.
20 Phepsi Buthelezi – 6.5
Kept the Sharks on the front foot with some strong carries
21 Bradley Davids – 8
Barely featured at the end, but kicked his penalties in the shootout.
22 Francois Venter – N/A
A late cameo.
23 Yaw Penxe – N/A
Did not come on.
