The Sharks host the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship in Durban on Saturday night, the home side are now guaranteed a home quarter final whilst the visitors are also in the mix for a play off spot.
Sharks v Scarlets, Saturday 17th May, Durban, KO 19:30 (South African time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (France)
Weather Forecast – Durban
Sharks:
The Sharks are in fourth position on the log with a record of 12 wins and 5 defeats. They cannot be caught by any of the teams from 5th place downwards so a home quarter final is secure. Looking up they are 1 point behind third placed Glasgow Warriors who visit log leaders Leinster in a game kicking off slightly later than this one so the Sharks could yet finish as high as third if they get the job done here and the Warriors drop points.
A 29-10 home victory over the Ospreys in Round 17 was preceded by wins overseas at Edinburgh 18-17 and Ulster 22-19, whilst a 10-7 loss to Leinster in Round 14 is their only URC defeat in Durban this season
In the outright betting the Sharks are 9/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
Scarlets:
The Scarlets are in sixth spot in the standings with a record of 9 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats for 48 log points and given other sides chasing play off spots are in action earlier in the round by kick off time they will know what (if anything) is required to secure an extended stay in the tournament.
A 32-19 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend came with a bonus point and was their fourth successive win. In earlier matches against SA sides the Scarlets edged out the Bulls 23-22 in a Round 5 home fixture but in Round 13 they went down 29-17 at home to the Stormers.
In the outright betting to win the URC title the Scarlets are 150/1 shots with WSB.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe
Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (c), 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Dan Davis, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page
The Betting,
Updated 16 May 17h31
Sharks -12.5 points at 9/10
Scarlets +13.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 16 May 17h32
The Sharks have moved from -11.5 to -13.5 after team news.
I am holding fire until I see points lines and I may even wait to see whether the Scarlets are already qualified by kickoff which we will know after Fridays games.
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Posted 17 May 10h54
The handicap has shifted out slightly to -12.5 and I fancy the minus as with Scarlets qualified they may not be quite as up for this as if they needed points. That being said they will be looking for at least 1 point (would go 7th due to having won more matches)to move above Edinburgh and avoid a trip to Leinster (I think, travelling back to Pretoria not a great option either)
That leads me to points in Durban a bet that has often burnt me. Conditions are cool and humidity is lower than normal and if I were the Scarlets I would want a loose game and a 4 try bonus point.
The line is 49.5 and I am going to the well again and hopefully this time there will be water.
BET: 5 units over 49.5 points at 17/20 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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