After clinching their place in the Challenge Cup final last week the Sharks return home for a United Rugby Championship fixture against play off hopefuls Benetton in Durban on Saturday
Sharks v Benetton, Saturday 11th May, Durban, KO 16:05 (South African time)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) and Hanru Van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks are thirteenth on the URC log with a record of 4 wins and 11 defeats for a tally of 23 log points and they have long since being out of the running for a play off spot.
They won 32-27 away to the Scarlets in URC Round 15 before edging out Clermont 32-31 in the Challenge Cup semi final at Twickenham Stoop last week to set up a final against Gloucester in London on 24th May.
One earlier match against Italian opposition this season saw the Sharks lose 12-10 away to Zebre Parma back in Round 4.
Benetton:
Benetton were also in Challenge Cup semi final action last week and they lost 40-23 away to Gloucester.
Benetton are currently eighth in the URC standings with 9 wins, 1 draw and 5 defeats. The middle of the log is very congested and they still have to visit the Bulls and host Edinburgh.
In earlier matches against South African opposition Benetton beat the Lions 15-10 and the Stormers 20-17 in home fixtures in Rounds 3 and 4.
Benetton are priced at 54/1 to win the URC title with BoyleSports
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (c), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Diego Appolis
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Ignacio Brex, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Leonardo Marin, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Sebastian Negri, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (c), 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Federico Zani
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Destiny Aminu, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Edoardo Iachizzi, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Jacob Umaga, 23 Marco Zanon
The Betting,
Sharks -10.5 points at 9/10
Benetton +10.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Sharks will have taken a lot out of the incredible comeback victory against Clermont last week and with the final looming on the horizon that will surely be their main focus. Benetton, by contrast, were beaten in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup and are just hanging on to 8th place in the URC at the moment.
The Sharks have named a strong team but Benetton should be the hungrier side as they cannot afford to lose ground on any of the teams above them and I am expecting Benetton to come up with a good performance here and I am going to call the upset win.
BET: 2 Units, Benetton win at 9/2 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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