The Lions host the Sharks in Johannesburg in the first of two local derby's in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday and the pre-match betting suggests it will be a close game.
Lions v Sharks, Saturday 1st March, Johannesburg, KO 14:30 (South African time)
Referee: Christopher Allison (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Stephen Geldenhuys (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Weather Forecast – Johannesburg
Lions:
The Lions were involved in the only URC match to take place last week, a derby away to the Bulls and they finished on the losing side, going down 31-19. They conceded the first 17 points of the match and there was to be no way back with the Bulls running in 5 tries to the Lions 3. The margin of victory for the Bulls was greater than the main handicap line which had seen the Lions given around 8.5 points start.
In earlier derby matches the Lions started as 5.5 point favourites fora clash with the Stormers at Ellis Park and they covered the handicap with a 30-23 victory, scoring 3 tries to 2. The Lions had previously lost 29-10 away to the Stormers and they also lost the first clash with the Bulls 35-22 at Loftus.
The Lions have now won 5 and lost 5 of their URC matches, they remain outside of the top 8 and 4 points off a play off place and they have 1 game in hand on the European sides. In the outright betting the Lions are 50/1 shots to win the URC title with WSB.
Sharks:
The Sharks have a record of 7 wins and 3 defeats and are fourth in the standings, 6 points behind the third placed Bulls who have played a game more and in the outright betting they are 9/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
The Sharks most recent URC outing came away to the Bulls at Loftus on the 15th Feb and they came away with a 29-19 victory, scoring 4 tries to the Bulls 3.
In earlier SA derby matches this season the Sharks beat the Stormers (21-15) in Durban, then got the better of the first clash with Bulls (20-17), also in Durban. Their only derby defeat so far came against the Stormers (24-20) in Cape Town.
Team News
Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Jarod Cairns, 23 Rynhardt Jonker
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Eduan Keyter
The Betting,
Updated 01 March 07h50
Lions -1.5 points at 9/10
Sharks +1.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This line opened Lions -2.5 and I put up an early bet in the URC Blog in anticipation of the handicap moving in the Sharks direction.
The line never budged although I sense it is starting to move with some +1.5 now visible and I reckon they start favourites.
The outright price has moved slightly in and is worth a solid punt in my opinion.
I like the team the Sharks have selected and from what I can tell the Lions (who will name their team later today) have some injury concerns.
I will be back sometime before the match with comments on the points lines and look out for our live URC betting show at 16h00 Friday afternoon - link to follow shortly.
BET: 7 units Sharks win at 2.34 (just under 27/20) at Betway - use the code GFTG if you open an account
Posted 01 March 07h53
There has been some money for the Sharks and 23/20 is now the best I can find.
The points line is 47.5 and that is because there has been rain and more is forecast - as I type this it is overcast and misty but it looks the sort of day where the sun could appear for the odd cameo.
If I wasn't heavily invested in the Sharks I would be on the over 47.5 or the Sharks over 23.5.
No further bets on this one for me at this stage though and any additional plays will be post in the forum thread
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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