The Sharks host the Lions in a United Rugby Championship catch up game in Durban on Saturday and when these sides met last week it was the Lions who dominated.
Sharks v Lions, Saturday 8th March, Durban, KO 14:00 (South African time)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
These two sides met in Johannesburg a week ago, the betting had the Sharks as the most marginal of underdogs but they crashed and burned 38-14. The Sharks were 19-0 down by half time and there was to be no way back and their two consolation tries came in the closing moments of the match.
In earlier SA derby matches this season the Sharks beat the Bulls 29-19 at Loftus and the Stormers (21-15) in Durban. They also got the better of the first clash with Bulls (20-17) but they did lose to the Stormers (24-20) in Cape Town.
The Sharks have a record of 7 wins and 4 defeats and are fourth in the overall standings, 7 points behind the third placed Bulls who have played a game more. Looking down fifth placed Munster are just 1 point further back. In the outright betting they are 10/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
Lions:
The Lions ran in 6 tries in last week's demolition of the Sharks to pick up a bonus point and give their play off hopes a huge boost.
In earlier derby matches the Lions went down 31-19 to the Bulls at Loftus. They beat the Stormers at Ellis Park 30-23 having previously lost 29-10 away to the same side in Cape Town and they also lost the first clash with the Bulls 35-22.
The Lions have now won 6 and lost 5 of their URC matches, they are ninth in the standings. With 28 log points they are 6 adrift of the Sharks but just 1 point off a top 8 place with this game in hand on the European sides. In the outright betting the Lions are 50/1 shots to win the URC title with WSB.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene
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 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 WJ Steenkamp, 23 Rynhardt Jonker
The Betting,
Updated 08 March 09h01
Sharks -7.5 points at 9/10
Lions +8.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 07 March 16h29
I took an absolute hammering on the Sharks last week as they delivered a pathetic performance in Johannesburg.
As bad as it was they start favourites here and the money seems to be coming for the home side with the early -6.5 no longer available.
I was looking at an unders play on points as there is some wind about and it will also be warm with some humidity. The line is 46.5 though and that feels about right for this one.
I will be back loser to kik off with a play.
Posted 08 March 09h01
I am not going to get too involved in this one and will have a punt that the Sharks win by 1-12 points.
Bet: 2 units Sharks win by 1-12 points at 1.48/1 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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