Impressive Munster Rugby score precious bonus point win over Lions in Johannesburg

Impressive Munster Rugby secured the second bonus point win of their South African tour when easing past the Emirates Lions 33-13 in the United Rugby Championship in Johannesburg to move up to third place in the table.

In-form Munster have now won their last six fixtures in the URC, securing 29 points from a possible 30 during that period, with their most recent defeat coming against Connacht in Galway on New Year's Day.

This latest victory also ensured URC champions Munster are unbeaten in their last nine Championship clashes with South African opponents since their 21-23 defeat to the Lions, in Johannesburg in March 2022. 

It also greatly boosts the holders prospects of securing a home quarter-final in the play-offs at the end of the regular season.

Next up for Munster in the URC is a Saturday, May 11 meeting with inter-provincial rivals Connacht at Thomond Park, 5.15pm before an away date with Edinburgh six days later and finally, in the regular season, a home game with Ulster Rugby in Limerick on Saturday, June 1.

Penalty Try @Munsterrugby almost run away with it #BKTURC #URC | #RaceToTheEight #LIOvMUN pic.twitter.com/jna9bnYroW

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 27, 2024

Munster, who had dispatched the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld a week earlier, had to work hard for this victory against the gritty Lions, forced to show their defensive abilities throughout much of the second half. 

However, by that stage, Munster had built up a more-than-useful 28-6 interval lead and the visitors secured the bonus point in the final minute of the contest following a brilliantly-executed driving maul.

Munster built a 9-0 lead in the opening half as out-half Jack Crowley kicked three penalties after a tight start to the Round 15 clash.

The Lions opened their account in the 27th minute when Jordan Hendrikse kicked a penalty for 9-3.

Munster then scored a first try of the match with a driving maul finished by Jack O'Donoghue, which Crowley converted.

79 nóim #LIOvMUN
@LionsRugbyCo 13@Munsterrugby 33

Tá an pointe bónas faighte ag Gavin Coombes

Coombes ensures Munster will be leaving South Africa with the bonus point!
@IrishRugby @URCOfficial @Pinergy#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/a5CH7RWRkM

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 27, 2024

Crowley made a try-saving tackle on Hendrikse and although the Lions full-back landed his second penalty, a pivotal moment arrived in first-half stoppage time when Simon Zebo was taken out off the ball as he was close to scoring.

Referee Craig Evans awarded a penalty try and sent Marius Louw to the sin-bin for interfering with Zebo.

Munster had the victory wrapped up eight minutes into the second half when Shane Daly dotted down.

But after sustained pressure when the Lions hammered away at the visitors' line through their pack, they eventually went over through PJ Botha with Hendrikse adding the extras.

49 nóim #LIOvMUN
@LionsRugbyCo 6@Munsterrugby 28

Tá Zebo ag léimt le h-áthas agus úd scóráilte ag Daly

Shane Daly goes over the line with the 3rd try of the game!
@IrishRugby @URCOfficial @Pinergy#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/qoib0If9dF

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 27, 2024

The Lions were prevented from eating further into Munster's lead when the home side's attack was met by a wall in defence as the champions soaked up phase after phase of attack.

When Munster then broke upfield in the closing minutes of the game, the visitors secured the bonus point try when the prolific Gavin Coombes was propelled over for an impressive maul try.

Afterwards Munster's Ireland international second-row Tadhg Beirne was awarded the BKT Man of the Match accolade.

EMIRATES LIONS: Jordan Hendrikse, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Marius Louw (Capt), Edwill van der Merwe, Sanele Nohamba, Morne van den Berg, Morgan Naude, Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer, Willem Alberts, Ruan Delport, JC Pretorius, Emmanuel Tshituka, Francke Horn. Replacements: PJ Botha, JP Smith, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruan Venter, Sibusiso Sangweni, Nico Steyn, Gianni Lombard.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Simon Zebo, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Seán O'Brien, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (Capt), Peter O'Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Jack O'Donoghue. Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Joey Carbery, Mike Haley.

REFEREE: Craig Evans (Wales)