Munster's season is over in the most heartbreaking fashion after they were beaten on place-kicks by the Sharks in a dramatic BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final in Durban.
The sides couldn't be separated after a pulsating 24-24 draw in 80 minutes, with Conor Murray's long-range penalty three minutes from time sending the game to extra time.
After a scoreless extra 20 minutes, the game had to be decided in a place-kicking competition, as Rory Scannell's miss in the shootout proved crucial, the Sharks winning 6-4.
It was a contentious end to the game, with Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse delaying Jack Crowley's second attempt at the posts by going down with cramp, and after the Munster out-half eventually nailed his kick, he was seen exchanging choice words with a member of the Sharks backroom team.
Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley and Diarmuid Kilgallen scored the Munster tries in regulation, with Crowley adding two conversions, and Murray's late penalty sending it to extra time.
It proved to be Murray's final game in a Munster shirt, with the Ireland international set to depart at the end of the season, while it was also a disappointing end to the lengthy careers of Peter O'Mahony (below) and Stephen Archer, both of whom are retiring.
The visitors had taken the lead nine minutes into the first half when Crowley's cross-field kick bounced up for 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 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.
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 Tom Ahern before the contest reached its climax with a shootout, where the Sharks claimed victory, booking a semi-final away to the Bulls next week.
Additional reporting: PA
