The Sharks could claim a vital away scalp when they visit " Fort Loftus" on Friday evening and Simon Emery reckons they're worth a fair bet to do so.

The Bulls one would assume are in a re-building phase after losing a number of players in the off season while Heneke Meyer's absence will also be viewed as a major set-back. By all accounts though the Bulls have had a great time of it in the last 7 years crowned Champions in 3 and also beaten semi-finalists in 2. However it appears as though this season could be worse than 2011 where they only managed 7th, after conceding lots of ground in the early part of the season.

The Sharks on the other hand finished just one place above them in 6th and they were probably disappointed at their final position after starting the season so strongly. John Plumtree will also be looking to fill the gaps left by a number of 1st team regulars who have moved on as well as a few injuries to some key personal.

Both sides enjoyed easy warm up games with the Bulls quite impressive in their trouncing of the Cheetahs. Having said that though I wouldn't read too much into those results as they are often very misleading on the betting front !

Team News

Pierre Spies is the new Bulls captain and will start in his favoured No 8 position, whether he will find his form of a few seasons past is debatable but he still forms a strong trio of "loosies" that include Deon Stegman and Superrugby debutante Jacques Potgieter. The centre pairing has a new combination and takes the form of Francois Venter and Johan Sadie while former Lions players Jano Vermaak and Willie Wepener are notable substitutes. The front trio of Deon Greyling, Chilliboy Ralepelle and Werner Kruger look well settled and will look to disrupt the new Sharks loose head Dale Chadwick.

The Sharks meanwhile welcome back Freddie Michalak at scrumhalf and he partners Patrick Lambie who starts at 10. Former Griquas/Cheetahs player Riaan Viljoen starts at fullback while JP Pieterson and Tim Whitehead form a new partnership in the midfield. Keegan Daniel has been named as skipper and will partnet Ryan Kankowski and Marcel Coetzee. Notable replacements on the bench include Meyer Bosman, Jacques Botes and Ross Skeate.

Recent Results

2011 Pretoria 23-26 Sharks

2011 Durban 23-32 Bulls

2010 Pretoria 27-19 Bulls

2009 Durban 26-27 Bulls

2008 Pretoria 15-29 Sharks

Betting

The Bulls are available at 8/10 to win the game with Sportingbet and they also offer the best handicap at -2 pts at even money. Meanwhile the Sharks are a best 13/10 with Hollywood who also offer a best + 3.5 pts on the handicap at 17/20

Verdict

Both sides will be keen to assert their ascendancy as soon as possible especially with so many potential flaws in either side due to all the new faces. Then after the initial onslaughts it could then turn into abit of a boxing exhibition with both sides keen to "stay on the outside" waiting for the opoosition to make a mistake. So from a betting perspective it makes tipping a little more risky as luck could play a more definative role in the final outcome.

A few weeks back I had mentioned to Brent that I had made the Sharks a good bet to win this opener, but to be honest I had hoped for a slightly bigger handicap, say + 4.5 to 5.5 pts. The handicap therefore was a bit of a disappointment. to me and at + 3.5 points with Hollywoodbets.net it doesn't quite roll of the tongue in the same way. Whats notable perhaps is that there has been money for that handicap which has shortened a fraction.

My tip though is still the Sharks with me feeling that they'll have the overall edge in man power and might just have the better thinkers to go with it.

Having made the Sharks a 7 unit whopper early on I've decided to go easy though because of the lesser price and a 4 unit bet is suggested on the Sharks at the + 3.5 points available at Hollywood

Bet: Sharks + 3.5 points 17/20 available at Hollywood

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Alan Moscrop	Brent Graham	Chris Sturdy	Sean Nicholas