Currie Cup Premier Division Sharks 35-28 Bulls

Sharks vs Bulls: On Friday evening, the Bulls will be in a unique situation when they play a “home game” against the Sharks in Durban.

Sharks vs Bulls: LIVE scores

The teams decided to switch the venue after the Durbanites missed out on several home games that were cancelled due to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, while the Bulls also contributed R100,000 to the Sharks’ “Hands of Hope” fundraising campaign, aimed at rebuilding KZN by uplifting communities and people’s livelihoods.

Sharks vs Bulls: Preview

The last time these two sides met in the Currie Cup, was the irregular January Final in Pretoria, where the Bulls scored the match-winning try in the final minute of extra time.

Bulls director of rugby, Jake White, expressed the side’s enthusiasm ahead of the clash in Durban, and his delight at the return of Madosh Tambwe and Stedman Gans on the wings.

“It’s another tough week against a Sharks team that will want to bounce back from their defeat to the Tafel Lager Griquas last weekend. 

“It is a top of the table clash, so we can expect a fierce battle with the Sharks, who will certainly be up for the contest in an effort to topple us from the top of the log. There is definitely a lot to play for and we will have to be at the top of our game in this contest to continue with the momentum we have so far in the competition. 

Sharks vs Bulls

“We are fortunate to be able to count on the experience of players like Lizo, who starts this week. We are also excited to have the likes of Madosh and Stedman back to bolster the squad, while relying on both the experience and exuberance of the bench to close off the game for us.”

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt admitted the loss to Griquas at home last weekend was gut punch for the team.

“We were at home, we’ve been dying to play at Jonsson Kings Park for the last few weeks after the cancellation of a couple of games scheduled to be played in Durban. But that’s the nature of the game, sport can be cruel: one week you’re right up there and get a five pointer in Bloem and then you come home and put in a disappointing performance,” said Everitt.

Sharks vs Bulls

“We need to move on, take out the positives from this game and the learnings – and there is always something to learn.”

In a late change, the Sharks announced Anthony Volmink would start at fullback in place of Curwin Bosch while Manie Libbok comes up to the bench.

Match information, tv times, live stream, officials

Sharks vs Bulls

Date: Friday, 6 August

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19:00

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Local appointments

Television Match Official: Cwengile Jadezweni

TV: SuperSport

Streaming: DStv Now

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Sharks vs Bulls: Teams

Sharks starting XV: 15. Anthony Volmink, 14. Yaw Penxe, 13. Werner Kok, 12. Murray Koster, 11. Thaakir Abrahams, 10. Lionel Cronje, 9. Grant Williams; 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Henco Venter 6. Dylan Richardson, 5. Reniel Hugo, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Rdeplacements: 16. Khwezi Mona, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Thembelani Bholi, 19. Mpilo Gumede, 20. James Venter, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Manie Libbok.

Bulls starting XV:  15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Harold Vorster, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. Stedman Gans, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Zak Burger, 8. Elrigh Louw , 7. Muller Uys, 6. Marcell Coetzee – Captain, 5. Ruan Nortje , 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Mornay Smith, 2. Schalk Erasmus, 1. Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements (from): 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Mhleli Dlamini, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Arno Botha, 21. Keagan Johannes, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Sibongile Novuka, 24. Jacques van Rooyen, 25. Reinhardt Ludwig, 26. WJ Steenkamp, 27. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 28. Richard Kriel.

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