Sharks vs Lions
The Sharks welcome the Lions to Durban for this match in the United Rugby Championships. The home team are coming off two excellent wins in the Champions Cup while the Lions also won their last two matches in the Challenge Cup. The Sharks have struggled in the URC this season and currently sit in 10th place with 19 points after seven matches. The visitors have had a much better second season in this competition and are in 5th position with 24 points after 8 matches. The homes side can overtake the Lions on the table if they achieve a bonus point win and deny the visitors a losing bonus point.
TIP: The Sharks have been disappointing this season and the low point of the season was their 35-0 home loss to Cardiff which led to the exit of Coach Sean Everitt. They have performed especially poor when their Springboks players are rested and this match will be another challenge as the likes of Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi are not available. The Lions will be missing their star player Henco Van Wyk who is injured. The bookies have the Sharks as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.20 Playabets 1.21 and Sunbet 1.20
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Sharks vs Lions
- The Lions beat the Sharks 38-32 the last time they met.
- The Sharks have only lost once to the Lions in their last seven matches.
Latest results for both teams
The Sharks beat Bordeaux Begles 19-16 in their last match while the Lions beat Stade Francais 30-12 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Sharks will want to show that they can still produce the goods without their national players and will be delighted to have World Player of the Year nominee Lukhanyo Am back from a lengthy injury layoff. He forms an exciting partnership with former Lion Rohan Janse van Rensburg. The visitors, to have any chance of victory will need to keep these two players quite. The Lions have former Sharks player Marius Louw in their lineup but the man that will need to be at his best is Jordan Hendrikse. If he can control the game with his boot then the Lions and sneak an upset win. I am predicting a Sharks win by 14 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Sharks
15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (c), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Thomas du Toit
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Ruan Venter, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.20
Playabets 1.21
Sunbet 1.20
Odds comparison on the Sharks handicap:
The complete odds on the Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-11.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-11.5) 1.89
Playabets (-11.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Sharks outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the home side on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-11.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-11.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-11.5) 1.84
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
