Sharks v Scarlets - Teams and Prediction
ROUND SIX RESCHEDULED: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt says his team will be wary of the Scarlets’ attacking threats when they meet in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Durban on Friday.
The Scarlets have claimed just four URC wins this season but three of those came in their last five games. They are coming off an impressive 35-10 win over Glasgow Warriors in Round 13.
The Sharks on the other hand have lost only one of their last six fixtures in the competition.
Their record at home is just as impressive, with a solitary loss – against Currie Cup opponents Western Province – since July.
“People have been hyping it up for quite a while now that these overseas teams are coming to South Africa and what we have to do is put the words into action,” said Everitt.
“It’s important for us is that we put in good performances at home. It is no use talking about it.
“The Scarlets had a great win on Saturday against a top-three team which was Glasgow, so we wary of what they can bring.
“We need to perform to get the support back and obviously when the stadiums are open we want to be playing well.”
On Scarlets’ attacking game, Everitt added: “They are a very attack-orientated team. Although they do kick a lot as well and the reason why they are kicking is so they can get the ball back to attack.
“We are also a team that likes to keep ball in hand and often we have played our best rugby away from home and maybe Benetton was a good example of where we were able to hold onto the ball for longer passages of play.”
🥁 Drumroll …
🔨 Nailed it!
Great session at Northwood School in Durban
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Meanwhile, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel knows that his team will have to match the physicality of the Sharks if they want a win.
“We have had a couple of good training days here,” said Peel. “The boys have enjoyed their stay so far and are looking forward to a good occasion on Friday.
“They are a star-studded team with a lot of Springbok internationals
“Physicality is something that’s taken for granted here – if you don’t turn up with good physicality you are going to be in trouble. Sharks also have pace out wide in abundance. Their back-three players are able to hurt you with speed.
“The starting point for us is to match physicality, then we have to limit opportunities for their outside backs because they are world stars who are dangerous. So, we have to be clinical, disciplined and take our opportunities when they come.
“We are the first team from the north to travel down to play, it is a game everyone is looking forward to. I am sure the experience the guys will gain from this game will be huge moving forward.”
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sharks by five points.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Werner Kok.
Scarlets: 15 Tom Rogers, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Scott Williams (captain), 11 Corey Baldwin, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Blade Thomson, 5 Jac Price, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Daf Hughes, 1 Steff Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Joe Roberts.
Date: Friday, March 11
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 UK & Ireland time; 17.10 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)
