The Sharks find themselves competing in the European Challenge Cup and their first action is a home fixture against Section Paloise in Durban on Saturday
Sharks v Section Paloise, Saturday 9th December, Durban, KO 17:15 (South African time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (Eng), Simon Harding (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The change of competition could be a welcome boost for the Sharks who have struggled badly in the United Rugby Championship. Last weekend they crashed to a 44-10 derby defeat away to the Bulls which leaves them with just 1 win (and 6 defeats) against their name. That victory came at home to the Dragons 69-14 whilst one earlier home game saw them edged out 13-12 by Connacht.
After this the Sharks take on the Cheetahs in Bloem in a Round 2 derby before they host Oyonnax and they finish up with a visit to the Dragons.
The Sharks took their place in the Champions Cup last season where they won their first 3 pool matches, starting with a 39-31 victory over Harlequins in Durban. They went on to beat Union Bordeaux Begles 19-16 away from home in Round 2 and put the same opposition away 32-3 in the return in Durban and in Round 4 they went down 39-29 in the second clash with Harlequins in London. 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.
Section Paloise:
Section Paloise are going well in the Top 14 with a record of 6 wins and 3 defeats and they are in fourth spot, just 2 points behind log leaders Racing 92.
In this competition last season Section Paloise came up against South African opposition in the shape of the Cheetahs who beat them twice, 21-16 victory in Pau and 9-6 in a game staged in Parma. They won just 1 of their 4 matches and failed to make the Round of 16.
After this Section Paloise host the Dragons, visit the Cheetahs and in the final round of pool matches they are at home to Zebre Parma.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 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 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker
Section Paloise: 15 Thomas Carol, 14 Aminiasi Tuimaba, 13 Samuel Ezeala, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Gregoire Arfeuil, 10 Axel Desperes, 9 Thibault Daubagna, 8 Thibaut Hamonou, 7 Martin Puech, 6 Mehdi Tlili, 5 Fabrice Metz, 4 Guillaume Ducat, 3 Nicolas Corato, 2 Romain Ruffenach, 1 Paul Tailhades
Replacements: 16 Youri Delhommel, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Ziggy Fisi’ihoi, 19 Brent Liufau, 20 Josselin Bouhier, 21 Thomas Souverbie, 22 Thibault Debaes, 23 Nathan Decron
The Betting
Sharks -25.5
Section Paloise +25
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
It is Friday afternoon and not a handicap or points line in sight. I will return Saturday morning with a bet.
Update 9 December 09h30
I was hoping we would have points lines by now and may get further involved in this one and will post any bets in our forum
For now a small interest in the Sharks minus. They beat a big handicap at home against the Dragons and although Pau are a stronger side I am banking on the French heads dropping at some stage.
BET: 3 units Sharks -25.5 at 9/10 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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