The Sharks host the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Friday and the home side are favourites to put last week's horror show behind them.
Sharks v Ospreys, Friday 2nd December, Durban, KO 19:00 (South African time)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
Despite starting as 16.5 point favourites for a clash with Cardiff in Durban last Sunday the Sharks crashed and burned 35-0. Coach Sean Everitt has stepped down, reportedly by mutual consent, and Neil Powell will take over.
The Sharks have played just 6 matches and they have 3 wins and 3 defeats against their name. A 20-19 win over the Dragons in Newport was preceded by a 42-37 win in Parma and they dismantled Glasgow Warriors 40-12 in Durban, their only other home game so far.
The Sharks went down 40-27 away to the Bulls and also lost at Leinster (54-34) and they have slipped down to twelfth position with 15 log points but they have at 2 games in hand on most other teams.
When the Sharks visited the Ospreys early last season they won 27-13.
Ospreys:
The Ospreys tour of SA began at Loftus, they were 22.5 point underdogs on the handicap and they were beaten 43-26, conceding 7 tries but scoring 4 to grab a bonus point.
The Ospreys come into this round in 14th spot with a record of 1 win, 2 draws and 5 defeats and they have 14 log points. They started with a 23-23 draw in a derby away to the Scarlets and in Round 2 they were edged out 28-27 by the Lions. They also hosted the Stormers in Round 5 and the game finished in a draw, 16-16.
The Ospreys only win so far came in Round 3 when they saw off the Glasgow Warriors 32-17 in a home fixture.
On tour in SA last season the Ospreys lost 45-15 at the Lions and 29-13 at the Stormers.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Luke Morgan, Michael Collins, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Keelan Giles; Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb (capt); Rhys Henry, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Bradley Davies, Huw Sutton, Ethan Roots, Will Hickey, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Jack Regan, Harri Deaves, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Luke Scully, Cai Evans
The Betting - Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Sharks -16.5 points at 9/10
Ospreys +18.5 points at 9/10
Line moving out on the back of Sharks team news
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I tweeted earlier in the week that although I could not prove it but I can say with some confidence that the Sharks must be the only double digit favourites in a rugby match (ever) not to trouble the scorers. Their performance against Cardiff was absolutely woeful and it is no surprise that the decision to change direction as far as coaching staff goes was taken. They effectively lost that Cardiff handicap by 50 points and the team will be desperate to make amends in front of a frustrated home fan base.
I am expecting a much improved performance by the Sharks this weekend and the handicap has shifted from -15.5 to -18.5 with some Boks returning. The Ospreys scored 26 points in Pretoria last week, but I think they are going to find the going a lot tougher in Durban and I am betting on them to score 18 points or less in this one.
BET: 4 units Ospreys Under 18.5 points at 8/10 at Sportingbet*
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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