Etzebeth expecting 'tight game' as Costello demands Munster discipline

The tourists will look to pull off a playoff win in South Africa on Saturday evening. 

MAIN MAN: Eben Etzebeth, captain of Hollywoodbets Sharks. Pic: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart

It all depends where you look for the evidence that backs up Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth’s prediction of “a very close game” when Munster roll up to Kings Park on Saturday evening for this URC quarter-final.

Sure, the 22-22 draw on the last day of the 2022-23 regular season will go down in the record books as a pivotal game in Munster’s URC title-winning season, the second of five unbeaten matches on the road which delivered a first trophy in a dozen years to the Irish province. Yet either side of that outcome, the Sharks have enjoyed the dominance to suggest that the visitors are one lax decision or a mistimed pass away from another difficult day in Durban.