Super Rugby 2019: Sharks and Bulls set for crunch clash

The Sharks and Bulls will both be expecting a physical game to play out at Kings Park on Saturday in a Super Rugby match neither side can afford to lose.

The men from Durban can knock the Lions off top spot while the Joburg franchise enjoy a bye in week seven but the Bulls equally will get back into the playoff contest with a win.

Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi expects an intense and physical contest against a side that put them to the sword not so long ago.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s action Fassi said: “South African derbies tend to be more physical, there’s a strong rivalry and we expect the Vodacom Bulls to come at us on Saturday, and they can have the same expectation of us.”

Fassi is grateful for the guidance of the Sharks experienced outside backs in his rookie season of Super Rugby.

He said: “Super Rugby is a huge challenge, but I have senior players around me, guiding me and showing me the way.

“It’s a step-up from Currie Cup rugby, although not necessarily in physicality and the pace of the game, but definitely against the New Zealand and Australian teams.”

Fassi says competition for the Sharks number 15 jersey drives him to become a better player and he hopes to continue his impressive start to life in the world’s toughest franchise rugby series.

“There’s good competition but we help each other and I’ve learned a lot from the likes of Curwin, Lwazi, Sbu… So for me, it’s a blessing and a privilege to play at fullback.

Bulls coach Pote Human urged his charges to put their shock mauling at the hands of the Chiefs last week behind them and focus on picking up where they left off against South African opposition.

“We know they are good players. We had three good weeks against South African players. This week they must show what they can do and that they are still hungry to play for the Bulls,” Human told press conference in Pretoria.

“They know what we can bring and we know what to expect too. They have a number of Springboks in their pack and it’s going to be a battle.

“We all know what happened last week, but we’ve put it behind us now.

“I’m really excited for this game and the players are all excited to go and show what they can do. We all know that we are better than what we produced last week.”

The Sharks clash with the Bulls at Kings Park kicks off at 17:30 SAST on Saturday 30 March.

Super Rugby matchday squads Sharks vs Bulls 30 March

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Curwin Bosch

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard (c), 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Johnny Kotze