URC 2025/26 · Round 14
Sharks
Munster
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Championship Standings
Munster sit 4th on 39 points — firmly in the playoff picture with eight wins from twelve, though they have lost three of their last five. The Sharks are 11th on 24 points with a negative points differential, needing a significant run of results to push into the top eight.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Glasgow Warriors | 12 | 9 | 3 | +150 | 45 |
| 2 |  Leinster | 12 | 8 | 4 | +67 | 41 |
| 3 |  Cardiff | 12 | 8 | 4 | +35 | 40 |
| 4 | Munster | 12 | 8 | 4 | +15 | 39 |
| 5 |  Stormers | 10 | 8 | 2 | +113 | 36 |
| 6 |  Ulster | 11 | 7 | 4 | +83 | 36 |
| 7 |  Lions | 11 | 7 | 4 | −20 | 33 |
| 8 |  Bulls | 11 | 6 | 5 | +5 | 30 |
| 9 |  Ospreys | 12 | 5 | 5 | −13 | 29 |
| 10 |  Connacht | 11 | 4 | 7 | −21 | 25 |
| 11 | Sharks | 10 | 4 | 5 | −36 | 24 |
| 12 |  Edinburgh | 11 | 4 | 7 | +6 | 23 |
| 13 |  Benetton | 12 | 4 | 7 | −65 | 23 |
| 14 |  Dragons | 12 | 3 | 7 | −50 | 20 |
| 15 |  Scarlets | 11 | 3 | 7 | −71 | 16 |
| 16 |  Zebre | 11 | 2 | 9 | −154 | 12 |
Sharks
W2, L3A brutal run for the Sharks — back-to-back away hammerings by the Bulls (41–12) and Lions (34–22) have exposed their inability to compete on the road against quality SA opposition. Before that, they beat the Stormers 36–24 at home and won 30–19 in Cape Town. But the narrow home loss to the Lions (22–23) in Round 9 underlines the inconsistency that has plagued their season.
Munster
W2, L3Munster’s recent form is deceptive — they sit 4th overall, but the last five rounds tell a different story. The 28–3 mauling at Ulster was a nadir, and losing at home to Leinster (8–13) showed their attacking limitations. They scraped past the Dragons by just two points and were well beaten at Scotstoun. Add two back-to-back ERCC losses (Castres at home, Toulon away), and Munster are on a genuine wobble — five defeats in their last seven across all competitions.
Head-to-Head in Durban
3 – 1 – 2
Sharks wins · Draws · Munster wins (6 meetings)
Sharks (3)The Sharks have been dominant in Durban — they won the URC quarter-final 25–24 on penalties in June 2025 and hammered Munster 41–24 in October 2024. The only draw came in April 2023 (22–22). Munster’s last win in Durban was in the ERCC in March 2023.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | URC QF | Sharks 25–24 Munster (pens) |
| Oct 2024 | URC | Sharks 41–24 Munster |
| Oct 2023 | URC | Munster 34–21 Sharks |
| Apr 2023 | URC | Sharks 22–22 Munster |
| Apr 2023 | ERCC | Sharks 50–35 Munster |
| Sep 2021 | URC | Munster 42–17 Sharks |
Average score in the last 6 meetings: Sharks 31 – Munster 28 across six meetings. Three Sharks wins, two Munster wins, one draw.
Extended Form
Sharks4W, 5L, 1D
Wins: Stormers (36–24), Bulls (21–12), Scarlets (29–19), Stormers (30–19 away). Losses: Bulls (12–41 away), Lions (22–34 away), Lions (22–23 home), Ulster (26–34 home), Leinster (5–31 away). Draw: Dragons (17–17 away).
The Sharks are a different team at Kings Park versus on the road. At home in URC this season they’ve beaten the Stormers, Bulls and Scarlets, but losses to Lions (by one point) and Ulster show they can be got at. The away record is dire — hammered by the Bulls, Lions and Leinster.
Munster6W, 4L
Wins: Zebre (21–7), Dragons (22–20), Ospreys (26–10 away), Connacht (17–15), Leinster (31–14 away win), Edinburgh (20–19). Losses: Glasgow (22–31), Ulster (3–28), Leinster (8–13 home), Stormers (21–27 home).
Munster’s extended form shows a team more consistent over the season than their last five results suggest. Big away wins at Leinster (31–14) and Ospreys (26–10) demonstrated real quality. But the recent dip — losing to Ulster, Leinster and Glasgow — is concerning, and five defeats in seven across all competitions is genuine crisis territory.
Sharks XV
Lineups have not yet been announced. The Sharks are expected to recall several frontliners after the heavy defeat to the Bulls, with Eben Etzebeth likely to captain from the second row and Jaden Hendrikse at scrum-half.
Munster XV
Lineups have not yet been announced. Munster will need to manage their squad carefully given the travel demands and their recent run of five defeats in seven across all competitions. Peter O’Mahony is expected to captain, with Jack Crowley likely at fly-half.
Key Matchups
The Sharks’ Springbok-laden pack gives them a clear edge up front — Etzebeth, Mbonambi and Nche are world-class, and the lineout should be dominant. But Munster’s backrow of O’Mahony, Hodnett and Coombes matches them for intensity at the breakdown. The half-back battle is key: Hendrikse and Bosch have raw talent but inconsistent execution, while Murray and Crowley bring composure — though Crowley has been below his best during Munster’s recent slump. The Springbok centre showdown (Am vs de Allende) adds a fascinating subplot.
Match Forecast
This is a far more competitive fixture than the standings suggest. Both teams arrive with identical recent URC form — two wins and three losses from their last five — and Munster are in the midst of a genuine crisis, having lost five of their last seven across all competitions. The 28–3 demolition at Ulster and a limp defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park (8–13) have exposed a team lacking the attacking firepower of previous seasons.
The Sharks, for all their inconsistency, have genuine match-winners in Etzebeth, Am, Fassi and Hendrikse, and they’ve beaten Munster in their last two meetings in Durban (41–24 and 25–24 on penalties). Kings Park in the Durban humidity is a difficult place to visit, and the Sharks’ Springbok pack should dominate the set piece. Munster’s recent wobble, combined with the South African travel factor, tips this in the Sharks’ favour — narrowly.
The Sharks’ Springbok firepower and home ground to exploit a Munster side in freefall — five defeats in seven across all competitions.