Sharks counting the cost after drawing a blank against Munster: The Sharks are counting the cost of their final league match in the United Rugby Championship against Munster.
A knock to prestige, personnel and potentially finances face the high spending Durban franchise after they only managed a draw against a resilient and resolute Irish outfit on Saturday evening.
With the top Welsh team guaranteed a place in the Champions Cup, the Sharks needed to win and hope Connacht fall short against Glasgow Warriors to secure passage to that tournament next season. While the latter came to pass the Sharks could not hold up their end of the bargain as they capitulated in the second half against an at times bellicose team in red.For all their star power the Sharks failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered.
Sure, they held the upper hand for most of the match and ran out to a 22-3 lead, but they lacked composure when Munster cranked up the heat and dragged the match to the furnace in the second half. Their misery has been compounded by the injuries to flank Siya Kolisi and flyhalf Curwin Bosch. Both departed the scene in the first half. Kolisi injured his right knee as he was tackled just before the try line near the right-hand touchline, while Bosch never looked himself after he was taken out while trying to collect a high ball.
Kolisi hyper extended his knee and will be scanned to assess the damage. The injury did not appear catastrophic as the Bok captain remained on the field for a few minutes before being withdrawn from the action.
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