Sharks condemn Munster to back-to-back losses
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United Rugby Championship
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Munster (3) 3
Pen: Hanrahan
Sharks (5) 15
Tries: Lombard, Van Zyl Con: Lombard Pen: Lombard
Munster fell to a second successive United Rugby Championship defeat as the Sharks claimed a first away win over the Irish province at a rainy Thomond Park.
Gianni Lombard and Ivan van Zyl crossed in either half for the South African side - the game's only tries - with Munster's only points coming courtesy of JJ Hanrahan's first-half penalty.
While the result deepens Munster's woes after last weekend's derby loss to Leinster at Aviva Stadium, it is a fourth win in five games this season for the Sharks, who move up to fourth in table.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan, who was without Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey, made seven changes - which included handing a debut to former Leinster wing Rob Russell - as his side attempted to shake off their derby disappointment.
But they were put on the back foot in the 15th minute when Lombard touched down for the opening try.
Zekhethelo Siyaya, the Sharks' rapid 19-year-old full-back, launched a kick into Munster territory, with Lombard gifted an easy finish after the covering Hanrahan misjudged the bounce of the ball.
Siyaya almost rubbed salt into Munster wounds when he sprinted clear before misreading the bouncing ball as he cantered towards the line.
Struggling to apply pressure while in Sharks territory, Munster registered their only points of the evening when Hanrahan slotted over.
The game's major flashpoint arrived after Lombard had kicked a penalty to restore the Sharks' five-point lead as Ox Nche was shown a yellow card after his shoulder made contact with Munster replacement prop Jeremy Loughman's head.
However, the Springbok prop avoided a 20-minute red following an off-field review.
The Sharks dealt a major blow to Munster's comeback hopes in the 59th minute when Van Zyl crossed after a big carry from captain Nick Hatton, which proved to be the game's final score.
After winning just out of five fixtures in the opening block, Munster are next in action when they travel to Zebre after the international break on 5 December.
Munster: Ben O'Connor; Shay McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Alex Nankivell, Rob Russell; JJ Hanrahan, Ben O'Donovan; Josh Wycherley, Marnus Van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes, Evan O'Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Sean Edogbo, Jack O'Donoghue (capt), Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Alaalatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Gavin Coombes, Jake O'Riordan, Charlie O'Shea, Alex Kendellen.
Sharks: Zekhethelo Siyaya; Edwill van der Merwe, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ethan Hooker, Jaco Williams; Gianni Lombard, Jaden Hendrikse; Ox Nche, Ethan Bester, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Tino Mavesere, Manu Tshituka, Nick Hatton (capt).
Replacements: Esethu Mnebelele, Cameron Dawson, Thomas du Toit, Stephan Lewies, Vincent Tshituka, Ivan van Zyl, Siya Masuku, Litelihle Bester.
Sin-bin: Nche (57)