When it comes to mouthwatering URC action, it doesn’t get much better than a star-studded Sharks side taking on the defending champions from last season.
The Sharks return to Durban after a three-week tour and will want to put on a good show in front of their home fans against the Glasgow Warriors, who, in turn, will be keen to make a strong statement in their first of two URC games in South Africa.
After a shaky start to the season from the Sharks, it is no surprise to have seen them stack their line-up with returning Springboks, with Eben Etzebeth captaining a side that boasts a host of World Cup winners.
YOU CAN FOLLOW THE SHARKS’ LIVE SCORING IN THE URC BELOW:
MATCH INFORMATION
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Date: Saturday, October 19
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 15.45 (14.45 UK time; 13.45 GMT)
Referee: Chris Busby
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Andrew Brace
The defending champions from Glasgow, who have won three of their four matches this season – the last of which was an emphatic 33-3 win against Zebre Parma – will be keen to build on the form that has seen them power their way to second place on the standings (on 16 pts – trailing Leinster by four), which is vastly different to the KwaZulu-Natalians’ results so far and 14th place log position.
The visitors, however, will be expecting a massive battle due to the vastly different weather conditions in Durban and they will be wary of the fact that the Sharks’ supporters will boost them immensely in their first game at home.
That said, the Scots will enter the match with their sights set on racking up their fourth win a row – with their lowest score being 33 points – but they will be wary of the fact that the Durbanites also scored 30 points or more in their first two games, before going down 38-10 against Benetton last week.
The KwaZulu-Natalians, however, will be bracing themselves for a proper onslaught as the Glasgow Warriors are the best attacking team in the competition at this stage with 146 points scored in their four matches to 73 by the home side in three games, while their defence has also been effective, with only 69 points conceded to 104 by the Sharks. But these statistics could have little to no significance when the teams take the field.
Bolstering the Sharks’ inspiration, they suffered five defeats in their last six home matches in the competition – a record they will be determined to sway – and although they lost their two away matches against Glasgow in the competition to date, they registered a comprehensive 40-12 victory against the Scots the last time the sides met in Durban in 2022.
What is your score prediction?
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