The last action in the United Rugby Championship quarter finals comes from Durban on Saturday evening where the Sharks go toe to toe Munster
Sharks v Munster, Saturday 31st May, Durban, KO 18:30 (South African time)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove White (Scotland), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks had already sealed a home play off prior to their 12-3 home victory over the Scarlets in the final round of the regular season but that victory saw them move from fourth to third and sees them host Munster rather than the Stormers.
The Sharks finished with a record of 13 wins and 5 defeats for 62 log points, 6 shy of the second placed Bulls and 3 better off than fourth placed Glasgow Warriors. They also topped the SA shield with 4 derby wins and 2 losses. The Sharks hosted Munster in Round 6 and they came out on top 41-24. In other matches against Irish opposition this season they lost at Connacht (36-30) in Round 2 and at home to Leinster (10-7) in Round 14 whilst in Round 16 they won away to Ulster (22-19).
The Sharks failed to make the play offs last season whilst in 2022/23 they lost away to Leinster in the quarters and they fell at the same stage away to the Bulls in 2021/22.
In the outright betting the Sharks are 10/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
Munster:
Munster finished 6th on the regular season log with 9 wins and 9 defeats against their name for 51 log points. Home wins in the final 2 rounds, against Ulster (38-20) and then Benetton (30-21) secured a play off place which had looked in some doubt.
Early in the season Munster suffered back to back defeats in South Africa, 34-19 to the Stormers in Cape Town and the aforementioned 41-24 loss to the Sharks in Durban. They were 17-10 winners at home to the Lions in Round 7 but lost at home to the Bulls (16-13) in Round 15.
In 2023/24 Munster made it to the semi finals where they lost to Glasgow Warriors whilst in 2022/23 they were crowned champions after beating the Stormers in the Grand Final in Cape Town.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Munster are 17/1 shots with WSB.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 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 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe
Munster: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Mike Haley
The Betting,
Updated 30 May 21h35
Sharks -6.5 points at 9/10
Munster +7.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 30 May 21h39
Lets start with the points line which is 47.5. Conditions look decent but I promised myself to leave points alone in Durban for a while and i am going to stick to that (at least until tomorrow).
The Sharks were -5.5 but have edged to -6.5 and although they are not to be trusted they should be too strong for a Munster team that does have a great record in playoff rugby.
Sharks on the minus for me.
BET: 4 units Sharks -6.5 at 0.92/1 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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