Sharks vs Munster URC preview as the Irish side travel to South Africa for a clash at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Munster currently sit sixth in the table, but are also only two points behind second, and an away win could push them up to a much more favourable position. The Sharks currently sit in 11th on 24 points. They are nine points away from the top eight, and therefore, a win would be necessary for them to try to push towards the top eight.
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Sharks vs Munster confirmed lineups and team news
Sharks (1-15):
Ganyane, Mbatha, Jacobs, Jenkins, van Heerden, Kolisi, Tsituka, Buthelezi, Williams, Hendrikse, Mapimpi, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Penxe, Giliomee
Replacements (16-23):
Swart, Nche, Koch, Rahl, Hatton, Davids, Smith, Kuene
Munster (1-15):
Milne, Barron, Ala’alatoa, Kleyn, Ahern, S Edogbo, Hodnett, Coombes, Coughlan, Hanrahan, Daly, Nankivell, Darrell, Nash, Haley
Replacements (16-23):
Barron, Wycherley, Ryan, E Edogbo, Wycherley, Patterson, Kelly, Gleeson
Recent Form:
Sharks (Home team): L-L-W-W-W
The Sharks suffered two away defeats to their South African counterparts in the last two games. In January, in the URC, they won back-to-back games against the Stormers. They also finished the Champions Cup group phase with a huge 50-12 win over Clermont. Their defeat to the Bulls in the most recent game saw them dominated throughout. They were 22-0 down at halftime, and despite scoring 12 points in the second half, they conceded another 19.
Munster (Away team): W-L-W-L-L
Munster won their clash against Zebre during the fallow week. They beat the bottom side in the league 21-7. They also beat the Dragons at home in their home game before that. Their five other matches in the last seven have all ended in defeat. Munster have lost their last three away matches including losses to Glasgow and Ulster.
Sharks vs Munster head-to-head record (last five matches):
| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| 31st May 2025 | URC playoff | Sharks (on pens) | 24-24 |
| 26th October 2024 | URC | Sharks | 41-24 |
| 21st October 2023 | URC | Munster | 34-21 |
| 22nd April 2023 | URC | Draw | 22-22 |
| 1st April 2023 | Champions Cup | Sharks | 50-35 |
Two of the last five meetings between the sides have ended in a draw. The URC playoff game last year saw a dramatic penalty shootout, which showed how fierce this rivalry is, as things became heated due to injuries in and around the kicking area of the shootout. The away side has never won in this fixture, but Munster have ended the 80 minutes with the same points on the scoreboard.
How to watch Sharks vs Munster?
Sharks vs Munster will be available to watch on Premier Sports 2. Coverage starts at 2:45 pm for a 3 pm kick-off.
