The Sharks have an opportunity to secure a home play off when they host the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Friday
Sharks v Ospreys, Friday 9th May, Durban, KO 19:00 (South African time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks are in fourth position with a record of 11 wins and 5 defeats for 54 log points. They remain 5 points behind the third placed Bulls and 6 shy of Glasgow Warriors whilst log leaders Leinster are 14 points better off. Looking down they do have a 7 point cushion over fifth placed Cardiff so a home quarter final will be secure with one more victory
In their most recent URC outings the Sharks won 2 tour matches, edging out Edinburgh 18-17 in Round 15 and last time out they 22-19 victors away to Ulster. In their most recent home game the Sharks were beaten 10-7 by Leinster, their only URC defeat in Durban this season
In their final match of the URC regular season the Sharks will host the Scarlets and in the outright betting they are 10/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
Ospreys:
The Ospreys are 11th in the standings with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw and 8 defeats. Their tally of 38 log points is 3 fewer than Benetton (8th) and Munster (9th) and 1 shy of Edinburgh (10th) and after this they finish up away to the Lions.
In Round 16 the Ospreys beat the Dragons 57-24 in a home fixture. Their stand our result away from home is a 32-31 victory over the Warriors in Glasgow in Round 12.
In earlier games at home to South Africa opposition this season in Round 2 they came out on top 37-24 against the Stormers and in Round 4 they were beaten 29-19 by the Bulls.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emmanuel Tshituka, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 .Yaw Penxe
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 6 James Ratti, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Spencer, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Steffan Thomas, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Will Griffiths, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Iestyn Hopkins
The Betting,
Sharks -16.5 points at 9/10
Ospreys +16.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 09 May 01h17
There is plenty to play for in this one and the handicap has been fairly stable at -16.5 all week.
Friday night in Durban usually screams unders but I think we could get points. Conditions are clear and while humidity is a concern (early 80's which is fairly low by Durban standards) I think both teams will play positive rugby and chase the 4 try bonus point.
BET: 4 units over 52.5 points at 19/20 at Hollywoodbets
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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