URC quarter-final drama: Class, shenanigans, booing, and the rest
Key topics:
Sharks beat Munster 6–4 in historic URC penalty shootout
Hendrikse sparks outrage with gamesmanship, wink, and sledging
Fans, pundits call for Golden Score to replace shootouts
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By Rory Steyn
The United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-finals on Friday night the 30th, and Saturday afternoon the 31st of May, delivered an electrifying start to the play-offs, showcasing high-stakes rugby across four venues in Glasgow, Pretoria, Dublin and Durban; and not just a wee bit of controversy! With the top teams from Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales battling for semi-final spots, the matches were packed with now-or-never moments as underdogs threw the kitchen sink at the home side favourites, standout rugby, an unprecedented penalty shootout, and crass gamesmanship that kept fans on the edge of their seats and glued to their televisions. This is what went down:
Friday Night: Glasgow Warriors vs. DHL Stormers (Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow)
The quarter-finals kicked off with a pulsating clash at Scotstoun Stadium, where the defending champions, the Glasgow Warriors, faced the fifth-seeded inaugural champions, the DHL Stormers. The Warriors, seeded fourth, leveraged their home advantage in front of a raucous Weegie crowd. The Stormers, riding a four-match winning streak and boasting 66 tries in the regular season, were a formidable challenge, particularly with their attacking flair driven by playmakers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Seabelo Senatla, and Manie Libbok.
The match was a tight affair early on, with Glasgow’s defensive resilience—second-best in the URC—holding firm against the Stormers’ potent attack. Glasgow’s scrum-half, George Horne, was instrumental, kicking four conversions and a penalty, and popping up to take the final pass and score a sweeping try that is a contender for ‘Try Of The Season’ surely, to contribute 16 points. Tries came from wing Kyle Rowe (a brace), flanker Rory Darge and the outstanding eighth man Henco Venter. The Stormers responded with a brace of their own from 7s superstar turned 15s wing Seabelo Senatla, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot adding two penalties and a conversion to keep the visitors in the hunt in the first half.
The Stormers’ indifferent defence was unlocked by Warriors’ backs in the second 40, with Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Josh McKay, and Kyle Steyn breaking their line with numerous forays up-field.
A controversial moment arose in the 65th minute when a potential Stormers try by Warrick Gelant was disallowed due to a questionable knock-on call in the build-up. Social media buzzed with fans debating the decision, with some arguing the TMO overlooked a clear grounding. Despite the setback, the Stormers’ late surge fell short, and Glasgow’s disciplined performance and better structure ensured their progression. The match highlighted Glasgow’s knack for peaking at the right time, a trait that saw them claim the title as fourth seeds in 2024; and putting to bed the unexpected slump everyone was talking about a few weeks ago.
Final score: Glasgow Warriors 36 – 18, far exceeding Superbru’s predicted six-point win.
Saturday Afternoon: Vodacom Bulls vs. Edinburgh (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday’s action began at Loftus Versfeld, where the second-seeded Vodacom Bulls took on seventh-placed Edinburgh at 13:30. The Bulls, on a seven-match winning streak and with a tournament-leading 70 tries, were favourites, but Edinburgh, coached by former Sharks coach Sean Everitt, posed a real threat with Scotland’s prolific try-scorer Darcy Graham looking to add to his six tries in the 2024/25 URC. The Bulls’ pack, however, was always going to be their attacking base, with ‘Quadzilla’ – Wilco Louw, in imperious form.
Edinburgh dominated early, racing to a 14-3 lead before Bulls’ No. 8 Cameron Hanekom crossed for a try converted by fly-half Keagan Johannes, who added 17 points via a try, three conversions and two penalties. The impressive David Kriel also scored, as did Canaan Moodie showcasing his electric pace, Harald Vorster and skipper Ruan Nortje. But it was Edinburgh who fought back after Hanekom’s try with flyhalf Ross Thompson scoring his second try to take the Scots into a 21-8 lead with 10 to play in the first half. Bulls fans would have been forgiven for the déjà vu they must have been feeling for another Scottish team coming to Loftus and winning a play-off!
But it was the Bulls’ forward power that eventually told as they hit back with three quick-fire tries at the start of the second half that took the game away and keeping them at home in next week’s semi-final.
Final score 42 – 33 to the Bulls, with Superbru predicting a 17-point victory.
Saturday Afternoon: Leinster vs. Scarlets (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
In Dublin, top-seeded Leinster faced eighth-placed Scarlets at The Aviva Stadium in the 16:00 kick-off. Leinster, perennial URC heavyweights, were expected to dominate, Superbru having them winning easily by 24 and 97% of pundits agreeing, but the Scarlets, fresh off a 35-22 upset over the Dubliners in the regular season, had other ideas. The match was a showcase of Leinster’s depth, with fly-half Sam Prendergast orchestrating play and contributing 13 points through three penalties and two conversions. Tries came from James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jamie Osborne, and Hugo Keenan, underlining Leinster’s attacking class.
The Scarlets responded with tries from Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, and Johnny Williams, two of those converted by fly-half Sam Costelow, and the other by Ioan Lloyd. Their defence however, struggled against Leinster’s relentless tempo, and the Scarlets’ discipline faltered; with a yellow card to Alec Hepburn in the 55th minute, and a second one to Vaea Fifita in the 72nd. No major controversies marred the game, although some Scarlets fans questioned the consistency of ruck penalties, feeling Leinster benefited from lenient refereeing. Leinster’s clinical performance possibly solidified their status as title favourites, but they’re going to have to deal with a third visit to Dublin by Glasgow Warriors first. Watch this space…
Final score: 33 – 21 to Leinster.
Saturday Afternoon: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Munster (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
The final quarter-final at 6:30 PM SAST in Durban saw the third-seeded Hollywoodbets Sharks host 2023 champions Munster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. The Sharks, with only one home loss all season, were bolstered by Springboks like Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth (despite concerns over his knee injury). Munster, seeded sixth, relied on their attacking edge, led by fly-half Jack Crowley.
Munster started strongly, with tries from Calvin Nash, Josh Wycherley, and Diarmuid Kilgallen, all converted by Jack Crowley. The Sharks answered with a try from the highly impressive Player Of The Match Ethan Hooker, as the game see-sawed. Munster led 21-10 in the 61st minute before late tries by Aphelele Fassie and Fez Mbatha, both converted by Jaden Hendrickse, got their noses in front 24-21 in the 74th minute. Up stepped outgoing Munster, Ireland, and British & Irish Lions legend Conor Murray, to level the scores in the 77th minute. 24-all, and Extra Time!
Quite an uneventful extra time at that, with neither team moving the needle at all. And then followed an almost unprecedented tie-break for a host of reasons! In a historic penalty shootout—the first of its kind in URC history, the shootout was overshadowed by a heated controversy involving Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and Munster flyhalf Jack Crowley. The incident sparked widespread discussion, particularly on X, where fans, analysts, and commentators debated the ethics of Hendrikse’s actions, labeling them as unsportsmanlike gamesmanship, and those defending Hendricks pointing to Crowley’s foul-mouthed attacks on Sharks medical and coaching staff assisting the ‘cramping’, prone Hendrickse. Below is an expanded, factual, and enthusiastic exploration of the controversy, incorporating match details, player actions, and the sentiment expressed on X.
The Match and Shootout Context
The shootout required each team to select three kickers, with each taking two shots from varying positions (in front of the posts, then from the right and left). The Sharks chose Jaden Hendrikse, his brother Jordan Hendrikse, and substitute scrum-half Bradley Davids, while Munster selected Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, and Rory Scannell. All Sharks kickers were flawless, converting their six attempts, while Scannell’s miss on his first kick proved decisive, handing the Sharks a 6-4 victory.
The Controversy: Hendrikse’s Actions
The controversy centered on Jaden Hendrikse’s behaviour during the shootout, particularly his interactions with Jack Crowley. Match reports and X posts detailed two key incidents that inflamed tensions:
1. Verbal Sledging and Distraction Attempts: From the outset, Hendrikse appeared to engage in psychological tactics. After successfully slotting his first kick from in front of the posts, he apparently directed verbal taunts at Crowley as the Munster fly-half prepared for his attempt. Referee Mike Adamson had to intervene, admonishing Hendrikse for “mouthing off” and moving him away to allow Crowley to focus. Despite the disruption, Crowley nailed his first kick, levelling the penalty score at 1-1.
2. The Cramp Incident and the Wink: The tension escalated during Crowley’s second kick, taken from the left side of the field. After Hendrikse converted his second kick, making it 4-2 for the Sharks, he went down on the ground near the kicking spot, claiming cramp and receiving treatment from the Sharks’ medical staff. This occurred directly in Crowley’s line of sight, disrupting his preparation. As he lay on the turf, Hendrikse winked at Crowley, a gesture broadcast live on TV and widely interpreted as an admission of deliberate gamesmanship. Crowley, visibly incensed, reportedly shouted expletives at Hendrikse but maintained his composure to successfully convert his second kick, narrowing the gap to 4-3.
The situation was further aggravated by the presence of a Sharks coaching staff member on the field during Hendrikse’s treatment, who Crowley also confronted, leading to heated exchanges. Rory Scannell’s subsequent miss sealed Munster’s fate, but the focus post-match shifted to Hendrikse’s conduct.
Reaction on X and Broader Sentiment
The controversy ignited a firestorm on X, with Munster fans and neutral observers slamming Hendrikse’s actions as antithetical to rugby’s values of respect and sportsmanship. And I agree. Key sentiments included:
• @PatSmithSport highlighted Hendrikse’s “cheeky wink” and lying in Crowley’s way, noting Munster’s anger and booing heard on the Sharks’ bench.
• @MadUnitedFan called Hendrikse’s behavior “pure cheating” and demanded a post-match review, emphasising rugby’s foundation of respect.
• @conmac1111 pointed out that Hendrikse initiated the sledging from Crowley’s first kick, with the referee repeatedly intervening, and labelled his actions “very poor.”
• @leeemWK noted that Hendrikse’s antics began early, with Crowley and Murray reacting to his “shithousing” and cramp incident.
• @grok summarised the controversy, citing reports of Hendrikse faking cramps and winking, fueling accusations of unsportsmanlike tactics.
Here’s another, this time on Facebook that sums up general sentiment: From a Munster fan. Congrats to the Sharks on a great win which could have gone either way. Kudos to Sharks management bringing Davids on with a couple of minutes to go. Good strategy. But seriously Hendrickse’s antics brought the game into disrepute! Doesn’t deserve the jersey!
Some, however, defended Hendrikse, arguing that gamesmanship is part of high-stakes competitions. One post quoted in reports suggested Crowley’s successful kicks showed he wasn’t overly affected, and the shootout’s outcome hinged on Scannell’s miss, not Hendrikse’s antics. Others noted rugby’s growing embrace of psychological tactics, likening it to soccer’s penalty shootouts, though this view was less prevalent. Likening rugby to soccer never sits well with me, rugby has always been above the crass, filthy fan behaviour one witnesses from soccer supporters.
Media outlets echoed the outrage, and much will be written on this topic today, no doubt. The Irish Examiner described the shootout as a “cruel” end for Munster, with Hendrikse’s actions adding to the drama. The Telegraph labeled his behaviour “near-unbelievable gamesmanship,” emphasising the wink as a provocative gesture. Planet Rugby called the Sharks’ tactics “classless,” and The Irish Mirror reported fans branding Hendrikse a “disgrace” for wasting time and sledging, with one user stating, “Extremely unimpressed with Jaden Hendrikse… Focus on your game son, lots of work to do there!” again, I must agree.
The controversy highlighted the tension between rugby’s traditional values and the modern pressures of professional sport. Penalty shootouts, rare in rugby, amplify individual pressure, and Hendrikse’s tactics, while effective, drew comparisons to soccer’s gamesmanship, which rugby has historically resisted. The wink, in particular, became a focal point, interpreted as a deliberate taunt rather than a spontaneous gesture, amplifying Munster’s frustration, especially as it marked the end of storied careers for players like Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, and Stephen Archer. BizNews Rugby wishes the three of them every success, a happy retirement, and our enormous thanks. Such a pity their special moment was marred by unseemly conduct from two players (internationals) who really should know better.
The Sharks’ victory stood, and their perfect kicking record (6/6) underscored their composure under pressure, with Bradley Davids’ final kick sealing the win: 6-4 on penalties. Superbru had he Sharks by just one point.
The incident also sparked discussion about the shootout format itself. As only the third such instance in professional rugby (and Munster’s second, after a 2022 Champions Cup loss to Toulouse), it remains a divisive method to decide matches. While it added drama, as noted by a Sport TG4 post celebrating the “wonderful crescendo,” it left Munster fans heartbroken, especially given the controversial circumstances.
Some final thoughts
The Sharks vs. Munster penalty shootout was a landmark moment in URC history, but Jaden Hendrikse’s actions—verbal sledging, faking cramps, and winking at Jack Crowley—cast a shadow over the Sharks’ triumph. While Crowley’s resilience ensured his kicks were successful, Rory Scannell’s miss proved the difference, sending the Sharks to face the Bulls in Pretoria. The backlash on social and traditional media reports underscored a divide between those who saw Hendrikse’s tactics as cunning (yet acceptable) and those who viewed them as a betrayal of rugby’s ethos. As the Sharks advance, the controversy serves as a talking point for the URC’s evolution, balancing competitive intensity with the sport’s cherished principles.
If we ask the question: how else do you decide an all-square score after Extra Time, I’m inclined to go with a Golden Score concept, where whoever scores first (in any manner of rugby’s scoring methods), wins. At least that way all of rugby’s multifaceted attributes determine the winner, not just which team’s kickers are more accurate. Both sets of forwards for example, were completely left out of determining the winner. Is that rugby?
Personally, I’m rooting for The Bulls next weekend. Jaden, take a long, hard look in the mirror lad.
Until that first scrum in Dublin…