The Sharks return to European Challenge Cup action on Saturday and they are firm favourites for their clash Oyonnax in Durban
Sharks v Oyonnax, Saturday 13th January, Durban, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Adam Leal (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (Eng) , John Meredith (Eng)
TMO: Hamish Smales (Eng)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks started their Challenge Cup campaign with a 45-5 rout of Section Paloise in Durban but they couldn't follow up in the next round when they went down 32-29 in a derby clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
That leaves them second in Pool 1 with 7 log points, 2 shy of the Cheetahs and 1 better off than the third placed Dragons who they will visit in the final round of pool matches.
Since losing to the Cheetahs the Sharks have been in URC action, contesting 2 local derby matches. They were edged out 16-15 away to the Stormers and last weekend they fluffed their lines at home to the Lions when they were beaten 20-18, a game they led 18-3 at one stage. Those defeats leave the Sharks at the foot of the URC standings with just 9 log points from the same number of matches.
Oyonnax:
Oyonnax are bottom of Pool 1 with just 1 log point against their name. They went down 24-7 away to the Dragons in their opening fixture and then lost 21-14 at home to Zebre Parma. They will host the Cheetahs in their final pool match and they will need something from this game to have any chance of avoiding elimination.
Oyonnax are currently third bottom in the French Top 14 standings with a record of 5 wins and 7 defeats.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 James Venter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Diego Appollis, 23 Eduan Keyter
Oyonnax: 15 Justin Bouraux, 14 Joe Ravouvou, 13 Leo Treilles, 12 Pedro Bettencourt (c), 11 Maxime Salles, 10 Jules Soulan, 9 Charlie Cassang, 8 Loic Godener, 7 Hugo Hermet, 6 Filimo Taofifenua, 5 Ewan Johnson, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Thibault Berthaud, 2 Benjamin Geledan, 1 Adrien Bordenave
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Christopher Vaotoa, 19 Antonin Corso, 20 Ilan El Khattabi, 21 Souleymane Coulibaly, 22 Wandrille Picault, 23 David Odiase
The Betting
Sharks -26.5
Oyonnax +28.5
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Sharks have played well below expectations this season but they have shown that against a weaker team at home they are capable of putting the pain on. They beat the Dragons by 55 in the URC at the end of November and Pau by 40 a couple of weeks later in this tournament and I am predicting another clubbing here against a French side who have likely already written this tournament off.
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any additional bets and other punters share their plays
BET: 5 units Sharks -26.5 at 9/10 at at Hollywood*
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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