The Sharks return home from their first United Rugby Championship tour for a Round 5 clash with defending champions Glasgow Warriors in Durban on Saturday
Sharks v Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 19th October, Durban, KO 15:45 (South African time)
Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks first 3 matches of the tournament came overseas, they won 1 and lost 2 picking up 6 log points along the way and although all South African sides have a game in hand on the Europeans, the Sharks are third from bottom in the standings and only the Stormers have fewer log points.
In Round 4 the Sharks crashed to a 38-10 defeat to Benetton in Trevisio, scoring just the 1 try and conceding 5 as the Italian side punished an error strewn display.
In earlier matches the Sharks needed an 85th minute try to come away from Newport with a 33-30 victory over the Dragons in Round 3. Their first action of the URC season came away to Connacht in Round 2 and they went down 36-30 with the home side scoring 5 tries to 3 so a losing bonus point was the only consolation.
In the outright betting the Sharks are 19/1 to win the URC title with BoyleSports.
Glasgow Warriors:
The Warriors are back in SA for the first time since they beat the Bulls in last season's final. They have played 4 matches so far, winning 3 and losing 1 and they finished Round 4 in second position with 16 log points, 4 adrift of Leinster who set the pace.
The Warriors were edged out 20-19 away to Ulster in the opening round but they have bounced back with wins at home to Benetton (42-10), away to Cardiff (52-36) and most recently they saw off Zebre (33-3) in Glasgow.
Last season's head to head came in Glasgow in Round 14 and the Warriors beat the Sharks 21-10. They did lose to both the Lions (44-21) and the Bulls (40-34) in SA last season but returned to Loftus to beat the Bulls 21-16 to lift the trophy.
In the outright betting the Warriors are 13/1 shots to win the URC title with BoyleSports
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Nathan McBeth
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings
The Betting,
Updated 18 October 15h49
Sharks -8.5 points
Glasgow Warriors +9.5 points
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 18 October 07h39
The handicap opened Sharks -6.5 but has gone to -9.5 after they named a Bok laden team. I am holding fire until I see the Glasgow team.
Update 18 Oct 15h50
The teams have been named but the handicap is stable although a couple of bookies have clipped the -9.5 Sharks to -8.5.
The Sharks have let many of us down over the years (and in my case as recently as last week) but surely this Bok heavy team can get the job done. Last time they met in Durban the Sharks won by 28 points and I am looking for a similar result.
BET: 4 units Sharks -8.5 at 17/20 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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