The Sharks first action of the new United Rugby Championship season sees them start as firm favourites for their clash with the Ospreys in Durban on Saturday
Sharks vs Ospreys, Saturday 26th September, Durban, KO 16:00 (South African time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 49th league game)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SARU) and Dylen November (SARU)
TMO: Fillipo Russo (FIR)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
In the 2025/26 URC the Sharks finished tenth on the log with a record of 8 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats and they were 8 points shy of a play off spot which was out of their reach some way before the season ended.
In their early pre-season RGR tour match against the All Blacks at Kings Park the Sharks were thrashed 54-0.
After this the Sharks host Leinster before they visit the Stormers and in Rounds 4 and 5 they will be overseas to take on Cardiff and then Munster. In the outright betting to win the URC title Sportingbet have the Sharks priced up as 25/1 shots
Ospreys:
The Ospreys finished the 2025/26 season one place and 7 log points below the Sharks in eleventh with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 9 defeats. They finished top of the Welsh Shield, edging out Cardiff who had made the play offs.
When these teams met in Bridgend last season the Ospreys came out on top 21-17 whilst when touring SA in the first two rounds the Ospreys lost at the Bulls (53-40) and the Stormers (26-10). The Ospreys last two visits to Durban have seen them lose 25-10 in 2022 and 29-10 in 2025.
Next week the Ospreys remain in SA for a clash with the Lions in Johannesburg and in the outright betting to win the URC title they trading at upwards of 100/1
Line Ups:
Sharks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (c), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Nemo Roelofse, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Zekhethelo Siyaya.
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Owen Watkin (c), 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Rhys Davies, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (c), 1 Steffan Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Harri Deaves, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Evardi Boshoff.
The Betting,
Updated 26 September 11h06
Sharks -10.5 points at 9/10
Ospreys +10.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Bet: Sharks v Ospreys
Posted 26 September 11h09
1 unit (1–5): Sharks to win by 1–12 points inclusive at 37/20 with Betxchange
The Sharks’ handicap has shortened from -12.5 to -10.5, while the total points line is set at 53.5. Conditions look good in Durban, although humidity around 80% makes me nervous about an overs play.
I quite like the pack Ospreys have selected. The Sharks’ back line could be exciting, but it remains to be seen whether they will get enough quality ball. I lean towards Ospreys on the handicap while still expecting the Sharks to win, so I’m settling on the 1–12 margin. I’m unlikely to get further involved in this match.
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