The Sharks host Clermont in their final Champions Cup Pool 1 match in Durban on Saturday, a must win game for the home side if they are to have any chance of staying in the elite competition.
Sharks v Clermont, Saturday 17th January, Durban, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (Eng), Richard Gordon (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Weather Forecast - Durban
Sharks:
Pool 1 is topped by Glasgow Warriors with 15 points, Sales Sharks are second with 11 and those 2 sides are already assured of a place in the knockout rounds. Saracens are third with 10 points and Stade Toulouse are fourth with 7, the Sharks are currently fifth with 5 points and Clermont are out of contention, yet to earn a point. A reminder the top 4 qualify, the fifth placed side goes into the Challenge Cup and whoever finishes bottom is eliminated.
The Sharks have to win this and the outcome of Toulouse v Sale Sharks will also have a bearing on the final pool standings with Saracens visit to Glasgow Warriors on Sunday also of significance.
In Round 3 the Sharks went down 26-10 away to Sale and their failure to pick any points up from that match could well be their undoing. Earlier results include a 56-19 in Toulouse and their only win came at home to Saracens in Round 2, 28-23.
In the URC the Sharks have won just 2 of 8 matches, drawing 1 and losing 5 and they are third bottom on the log and with plenty to do to get into the play off picture. Two recent SA derby matches, both in Durban saw them beat the Bulls 21-12 and lose 23-22 to the Lions.
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup title this season the Sharks are 200/1 shots with Hollywoodbets
Clermont:
Clermont can finish no higher than fifth and even that would require them to give the Sharks a good beating here.
They have lost all 3 of their matches, 47-10 away to Saracens, 35-14 at home to Sale and last weekend they went down 33-21 at home to Glasgow Warriors.
In the Top 14 Clermont are in mid table, 2 points off the play off places with a record of 8 wins and 6 defeats.
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 PK Sobahle, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Hakeem Kunene
Clermont: 15 Kylan Hamdaoui, 14 Yerim Fall, 13 Timeo Frier, 12 Alifereti Loaloa, 11 Joris Jurand, 10 Irae Simone, 9 Lucas Zamora, 8 Anthime Hemery, 7 Lucas Dessaigne, 6 Killian Tixeront (c), 5 Leo Michaux Vargas, 4 Thibaud Lanen, 3 Cristian Ojovan, 2 Etienne Fourcade, 1 Matheo Frisach.
Bench: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Giga Tutisani, 18 Giorgi Dzmanashvili, 19 Baptiste Veschambre, 20 Pio Muarua, 21 Niek Doornenbal, 22 Tom Raffy, 23 Axel Guillaud
The Betting,
Average early show
Sharks -26.5 points at 9/10
Clermont +26.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
Brent Graham's betting angle and plays for this weeks Champions Cup matches will be posted on this Blog.
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.