Rugby
URC Predictions – Sharks v Lions
The Sharks will be out to claim redemption and the South African Shield when they take on the Lions in a Rugby Championship rematch at Kings Park on Saturday (14:00 kick-off), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Both teams will be happy about the timing of this rescheduled Round One match. For the Lions, it’s an opportunity to prove they have the Sharks’ number, and for the Durbanites, it’s a chance to make up for last weekend’s embarrassing 38-14 loss at Ellis Park.
The Pride played the territory game to perfection last weekend, bossing matters spectacularly, with two tries in the final three minutes saving the Sharks from the indignation of being blanked.
If the Lions can play like that consistently, they’d be a force to be reckoned with whereas the Sharks have to work out how they were able to drop off so drastically after their heroic victory over the Bulls the previous week.
Hurt and humiliated, the Sharks will be a different kettle of fish at home. As much as they were tactically outplayed, they also lacked passion and intensity, which allowed the Lions pack to dominate. Thus, it’s not just a case of X’s and O’s and improving their discipline but of attitude as well.
The Lions, who’ve now won the last three meetings between the teams, will know the game will look differently in dry Durban but should feel that if they can do the basics well again, and convert as they did last weekend, they’re in with a real shot of making it four on the trot.
The Stormers, courtesy of their 19-16 upset win over the Bulls last weekend, top the South African Shield on 18 points, with the Pretoria outfit second on 17, the Sharks third on 14 and the Lions fourth on nine. Based on points difference, the Sharks must win by 22 points on Saturday, or with a bonus point to snatch the Shield.
The Durbanites have been excellent at home this season, winning five of their six games in all competitions, with their lone loss being a 20-8 reverse against French giants Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup.
Add the likelihood that they’ll bring big hitters like Siya Kolisi and Grant Williams back into the starting line-up and they should turn the tables convincingly.
Prediction: Sharks by 14.
Suggested Bet: Sharks -6 at 1.90.