The Sharks host Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Saturday and the home side are favourites to build on a rare win last week
Sharks v Edinburgh, Saturday 30th March, Durban, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy), Manuel Bottino (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks recorded just their second victory of the URC season when they beat Ulster 22-12 at Kings Park last week. They moved up 2 places to 14th in the standings but their tally of just 14 log points is still 20 shy of a top half finish.
The Sharks only other win so far came at home to the Dragons, 69-14 back in Round 6 and after this they will head off on tour to face Glasgow and the Scarlets.
Last season the Sharks won in Edinburgh, 22-19, also in Round 13.
In the outright betting odds of 525/1 with BoyleSports are on offer for the Sharks to win the tournament
Edinburgh:
Edinburgh took on the Stormers in Cape Town in Round 12 and they finished well beaten 43-21, conceding 7 tries and scoring 3. They were missing some of their internationals for that game but they could return here.
Edinburgh finished Round 12 in sixth spot in the standings with a record of 8 wins and 4 defeats for 34 log points and only 2 points separates the teams from fifth to tenth in the race for the play offs.
In earlier home games against South African opposition this season Edinburgh beat the Lions 17-16 and the Bulls 31-23.
In South Africa last season Edinburgh lost to the Bulls (33-31) and the Stormers (34-18).
In the outright betting Edinburgh are priced at 70/1 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 Masuka, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 James Venter, 6 Vincent Tshituka, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Ethan Hooker
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Jake Henry, 13 Matt Currie, 12 Chris Dean, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ben Vellacott (c), 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Jamie Hodgson, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Connor Boyle, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 James Lang
The Betting,
Sharks -7.5 points at 9/10
Edinburgh +7.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Sharks delivered some profits for me last week when they beat Ulster although it is fair to say that they still own me plenty and I have been burnt by them many times this season.
Edinburgh were well beaten by the Stormers in the end, but team selections suggest they have targeted this match. I am not convinced the Sharks can be trusted yet and will back the visitors to beat the handicap which is slowly beginning to edge in.
BET: 5 units Edinburgh +7.5 at 10/11 at Pokerbet*
*Pokerbet are generally 1st to market with rugby points lines – click here to open an account
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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