The Cheetahs and the Sharks both made winning starts to their European Challenge Cup campaigns and they now prepare for a derby clash in Bloemfontein on Sunday
Cheetahs v Sharks, Sunday 17th December, Bloemfontein, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Benoit Rousselet (Fra) , Filippo Russo (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Weather Forecast - Bloemfontein
Cheetahs:
The Cheetahs were given around 4.5 points start on the handicap for their opening round clash away to Zebre in Parma and they didn't need any of it as they came out on top 33-15. The Cheetahs scored 3 tries and Ruan Pienaar kicked a total of 18 points, Zebre got a couple of late consolation tries and were flattered by the final score and the only disappointment for the Cheetahs was they came up 1 try short of adding a bonus point.
The Cheetahs are third in Pool 1 behind the Dragons and Sharks who picked up 5 pointers last week.
In this competition last season the Cheetahs made it to the Round of 16 where they put up a decent show in a 36-21 defeat to Toulon who went on to lift the trophy.
After this game the Cheetahs will host Section Paloise before their final pool match away to Oyonnax.
Sharks:
The Sharks top this pool on the back of their 45-5 home win over Section Paloise (Pau) last weekend. They easily covered a -25.5 point handicap, leading 24.5 half time and they scored 6 tries in total including 2 for AM and a brace for Etzebeth.
That was a much needed boost for the Sharks who had struggled badly in the United Rugby Championship with just 1 win (and 6 defeats) in their first 7 matches.
The Sharks took their place in the Champions Cup last season where they won 3 and lost 1 of pool matches. They beat Munster 50-35 in Durban in the Round of 16 but bowed out in the quarter finals when they lost 54-20 away to Stade Toulouse.
After this the Sharks host Oyonnax and they finish up with a visit to the Dragons.
Team News
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Cameron Dawson
Substitutes: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Laurance Victor, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Ali Mgijima
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Le Roux Roets, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker
The Betting
Cheetahs +10.5 points at 9/10
Sharks -10.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Cheetahs will be massively up for this but the Sharks have a very strong line up and I'm not sure the 10.5 points is enough for the home side.
It should be a cracking watch and I'm with the minus handicap
Bet: Sharks -10.5 points at 9/10 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Subscribe to our free weekly betting mailer which will include our best and value bets below.
