The Sharks host the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Saturday and the home side are firm favourites to chalk up their first win of the season.
Sharks v Dragons, Saturday 25th November, Durban, KO 19:05 (South African time)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa); Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks first home game of the tournament came against Connacht last weekend, once again they were favourites with the bookmakers but they came up short, missing a number of opportunities in a 13-12 defeat.
The Sharks are now the only side still looking for a first win of the season and they are bottom of the standings with just 2 losing bonus points against their name.
One other near miss came away to Zebre Parma (12-10) in Round 4 whilst on tour they were comfortably beaten in Ireland by Munster and Leinster and they were very disappointing in going down 19-5 at the Ospreys in Round 3.
Away to Welsh opposition last season the Sharks won 20-19 at the Dragons and lost 32-20 at the Scarlets. In Durban they crashed 35-0 to Cardiff and beat the Ospreys 25-10.
Dragons:
The Dragons lost their first 4 matches of the tournament before opening their win account last weekend when they saw off the Ospreys 20-5 in a home derby fixture.
The Dragons also earned losing bonus points in home defeats to Edinburgh and Cardiff in their first 2 matches and they finished well beaten at Munster and at home to Leinster.
In SA last season the Dragons lost 33-25 at the Lions and 34-26 at the Stormers.
Team News
Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Lukhanyo Am ©, 12. Francois Venter, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7. Phepsi Buthelezi, 6. James Venter, 5. Emile van Heerden, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Fez Mbatha, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16. Daniel Jooste, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Jeandre Labuschagne, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Dragons: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Ewan Rosser, 10 Will Reed, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Ollie Griffiths (c), 6 Sean Lonsdale, 5 George Nott, 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Aki Seiuli
Replacements: 16 James Benjamin, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Joe Davies, 20 Harri Keddie, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Ashton Hewitt
The Betting,
Sharks -18.5 points at 9/10
Dragons +19.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
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The Sharks opened -17.5 but the money is coming for them with word on the street that the Boks will be returning. The line is now -19.5 in places and it could go out further.
The Sharks have been so poor but surely with their top players back they can beat this Dragons side by 20+? I am betting they can.
Stay close to our forum thread for more bets
Bet: 5 units Sharks -18.5 at 0.92/1 at Boylesports*
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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