Munster enjoys continued success in South Africa as the reigning champions bolster their record with a bonus point victory in Johannesburg following a win against the Bulls the previous weekend. Graham Rowntree’s team return to Ireland with a robust ten points, and their strong start suggests a fierce defence of their URC title in the forthcoming rounds.
Despite only commanding 41 per cent possession in the first half, Munster demonstrated a masterclass in score accumulation to the Lions, entering the second half with a heartening 23-6 lead. Opting to aim for the posts rather than the corner after being awarded three penalties, Munster took an early 9-0 lead.
From the right wing, Jack Crowley successfully launched three penalties from 35-40 metres out, bolstering Munster’s lead. When the Lions chose the right corner after receiving three penalties, Munster’s defence held firm, culminating in captain Tadhg Beirne performing a signature jackal.
Unsurprisingly, the Lions chose the posts for their subsequent penalty. Jordan Hendrikse, playing as fullback, opened the Lions’ account from 38 metres out, 27 minutes in. However, Munster retaliated. A scrum penalty near halfway led to them choosing the left corner, resulting in a well-timed drive from Peter O’Mahony and the Munster pack that awarded Jack O’Donoghue the touchdown. Crowley added the extras for a 16-3 lead at 34 minutes.
Shortly before half-time, Hendrikse managed to decrease the deficit with a penalty inside the 22, but Munster delivered a significant blow when Simon Zebo capitalised on the Lions’ attempt to boot the ball clear. Zebo cleverly nudged the ball three times before being halted by Lions captain, Marius Louw. Following a quick review of the incident, Craig Evans, the referee, awarded Munster a penalty try and handed Louw a yellow card. The first half ended with Munster enjoying a comfortable 23-6 lead.
Despite being a man down, the Lions failed to capitalise, with Hendrikse missing a 30 metre penalty four minutes into the second half, followed by the team conceding another try before their captain’s return.
With deft handling of the ball from a scrum by Crowley and Zebo and then seamlessly transferred to Gavin Coombes, newly on the pitch, allowed Shane Daly to register a score at the left corner for Munster. Post this, both teams proceeded to refresh their line-ups. Subsequent to an eight-phase move, the Lions managed to scrape up a try, completed by substitute hooker PJ Botha, which was then converted by Hendrikse for a score of 28-13.
Five minutes from the closing of the match, Ruan Venter’s try was annulled due to a double movement. However, Munster swiftly rebounded, successfully securing a bonus point by utilising a set piece, a continuation of their proven strategy. The drive, propelled by a lineout on the left, witnessed Coombes crossing for the bonus point, thereby sealing a well-earned win for his team.
A breakdown of the scoring progression was as follows: 5 mins – Crowley penalty, making the score 0-3; at 8 mins, another Crowley penalty resulting in 0-6; at 20 mins – further penalty from Crowley raising the score to 0-9; 27 mins saw Hendrikse secure a penalty, moving to 3-9; 34 mins in, O’Donoghue tried while Crowley converted, leaving scores at 3-16; at 38 mins a further Hendrikse penalty helped to reach 6-16; at 40 mins, a penalty try took the score to 6-23; at half-time, the score sat at 6-23; Daly’s trial in the 48th min resulted in 6-28; 62 mins in, Botha’s try alongside Hendrikse’s conversion led to a score of 13-28; Coombes’ try during the 79th minute, making it 13-33. The match concluded at a score of 13-33.
The Lions’ team included J Hendrikse, R Kriel, E Cronje, M Louw, E van der Merwe, S Nohamba, M van den Berg, M Naude, J Visagie, R Dreyer, W Alberts, R Delport, JC Pretorius, E Tshituka and F Horn.
Substitutions included A Ntlabakanye in place of Dreyer (after 48 mins), PJ Botha in for Visagie (after 48 mins), R Nothnagel for Alberts (after 52 mins), R Venter for Tshituka (after 54 mins), G Lombard replacing Kriel (after 59 mins) and finally, JP Smith for Naude (after 64 mins).
The Munster squad comprised of notable players such as S Zebo, C Nash, A Frisch, S O’Brien, S Daly, J Crowley, C Murray, J Loughman, N Scannell, S Archer, RG Snyman, T Beirne (the captain), P O’Mahony, A Kendellen, and J O’Donoghue. As the game progressed, substitutions were made with C Casey replacing Murray at 45 minutes, G Coombes stepping in for O’Donoghue at 47 minutes, and T Ahern taking over from O’Mahony at 52 minutes. J Wycherley also temporarily replaced Loughman between the 52nd and 72nd minute. At 59 minutes, O Jager was swapped for Archer, M Haley substituted Zebo at 66 minutes, J Carbery replaced Frisch at 68 minutes, and E Clarke came in for Scannell at the same time. The match was officiated by Craig Evans from Wales.