The Sharks will contest a Challenge Cup final next week which gives some of their fringe players the opportunity to take on Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Saturday
Sharks v Cardiff, Saturday 18th May, Durban, KO 18:15 (South African time)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) and Stephen Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks were collared by a late Benetton try in a 25-24 home defeat in Round 16 and they are twelfth on the URC log with a record of 4 wins and 12 defeats for a tally of 24 log points.
In earlier matches against Welsh opposition the Sharks won 32-27 away to the Scarlets in Round 15, they thrashed the Dragons 69-14 in a Round 6 home fixture but lost 19-5 away to the Ospreys in Round 3.
With the Challenge Cup final against Gloucester coming up in London next week some key members of the Sharks squad will be rested for this game.
Cardiff:
Cardiff went down 34-13 to the Lions in Johannesburg last week. They were already out of play off contention and you have to go back to Round 8 for their last win in the URC.
Earlier this season Cardiff lost to the Bulls 18-12 in a Round 4 home game but they beat the Stormers 31-24 at the Arms Park in Round 6.
Cardiff's overall record comprises of 3 wins, 1 draw and 12 defeats and they have earned just 25 log points. The Welsh Shield standings means Cardiff still have something to play for, they are 2 points behind the Ospreys, 1 in front of the Scarlets and 3 better off than the Dragons and after this game they a home fixture against the Ospreys to come.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Eduan Keyter, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Tiaan Fourie, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Reniel Hugo (captain), 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Khwezi Mona, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Replacements 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Braam Reyneke, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Anthony Volmink
Cardiff: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 James Botham, 6 Ben Donnell, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 3 Rhys Litterick, 2 Liam Belcher (c), 1 Corey Domachowski
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Rhys Carré, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Jacob Beetham, 23 Mason Grady
The Betting,
Sharks +1.5 points at 9/10
Cardiff -1.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Sharks have nothing to play for and will no doubt be preparing for next week’s Challenge Cup final. Given their full strength team lost at home to Benetton last week that should open up them for defeat here, but this Cardiff team are just so poor I can’t bring myself to back them.
The Sharks have moved from -2.5 to +1.5 after team news.
The points line is currently 48.5 and I am very tempted to go overs, although am a bit concerned that is poor weather about and will keep an eye on things and post any bets in this regard in the Forum. For now though a small interest in the Sharks to get the job done despite the big boys being rested.
BET: 2 Units, Sharks win at 13/10 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.
