The Sharks won a dramatic penalty shootout against Munster at Kings Park to set up a Vodacom URC semi-final against the Bulls at Loftus.

With the teams locked at 24-24 after 80 minutes of Saturday’s quarter-final and 20 scoreless minutes of extra time – and both sides having scored three tries – the match went to a penalty shootout.

The teams had to choose three designated kickers, with each kicker given two shots at goal from various distances and angles.

Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse and Bradley Davids were successful with all of their attempts for the Sharks, while Rory Scannell’s miss from his first attempt ultimately proved costly for Munster, whose other kickers, Jack Crowley and Conor Murray, were on target.

Replacement Davids, who came onto the field with 30 seconds of extra time remaining, kicked the winning penalty for the Sharks.

And breathe… The Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby take the W after a tense place-kick shootout! 😮‍💨🦈@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/rp43Cd0P3y

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 31, 2025

It was a dramatic end to a match that the hosts had looked like losing at the hour mark when trailing 21-10.

But the Sharks pack got them back into the game with two strong five-metre scrums, the second of which resulted in a try for fullback Aphelele Fassi.

Shortly after, quick ball from a lineout saw replacement hooker Fez Mbatha charge over to give them a 24-21 lead.

Fez Mbatha storms through for the Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby third try! 💥@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/h2RNUilGWx

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 31, 2025

Veteran Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray then kicked a 76th-minute penalty goal to take the game into extra time, and ultimately a kicking shootout.

Earlier, Munster opened the scoring when an excellent counter-attacking run from left wing Diarmuid Kilgallen was followed by flyhalf Crowley’s cross-kick behind Makazole Mapimpi, which was collected by right wing Diarmuid Kilgallen.

Heads up rugby from @munsterrugby 🫡

Calvin Nash latches onto Jack Crowley’s crossfield kick to get the visitors up and running 💨#BKTURC | #URC | #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/1IQJITpvBy

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2025

Crowley nailed the touchline conversion but missed a relatively simple penalty goal a few minutes later.

Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse was off-target with his first attempt at goal on the 30-minute mark, and while the hosts dominated the rest of the half, a high error rate kept them scoreless.

Ethan Hooker had been the Sharks’ standout performer of the first 40 and it was the winger who helped get them on level terms early in the second half with a weaving run in which he evaded three defenders.

𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 ♨️

Ethan Hooker hits the gas and finds the white line for the Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby ⚡️@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvMUN pic.twitter.com/NMEiTye9V6

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 31, 2025

A 10-phase attack from a Sharks side playing with greater confidence then resulted in an easy three points for Jordan Hendrikse only for Munster to hit back with a long-range try that was finished off by replacement prop Josh Wycherley.

The visitors struck again when a Mapimpi slip allowed Kilgallen to chase down a grubber, and Crowley’s conversion gave them an 11-point lead.

But then came the Sharks’ fightback, and the most dramatic of finishes.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images