The Sharks pack scrums down against the Stormers during the Super Hero Sunday match played at Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa, 19 January 2020. Photo: EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
Super Rugby 2020 fixtures: Rebels vs Sharks – live score, result, teams and prediction
The Sharks look to return to winning ways as they visit the Rebels on Saturday morning. Here is everything you need to know about this Super Rugby showdown.
The Sharks pack scrums down against the Stormers during the Super Hero Sunday match played at Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa, 19 January 2020. Photo: EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
The Sharks seek to regain the momentum lost in defeat to the Hurricanes as they continue their Australasia tour with a visit to the Rebels at the Mars Stadium.
The Durban-based side went down 38-22 to the Hurricanes at the Westpac Stadium having started their tour with a 42-20 drubbing of the Highlanders. This came off the back of a 23-15 home win against the Bulls.
The Rebels picked up a 24-10 win over the Waratahs in their last game following defeats to the Sunwolves and Brumbies in their opening two.
As talented as the Sharks team this year is, they cannot afford to take victory for granted against a well-oiled side.
“I think in our guts we know the team’s going good and the group’s super connected and everyone’s buying in. you can see that in the way that they played tonight and sometimes things don’t happen for you in a game, that’s just sport,” Rebels coach Dave Wessels said after beating the Waratahs, as quoted by Rugby.com.au.
“I’m pleased we got the win…I kind of know we’re going to have a good season.”
Team news
Lukhanyo Am is out for the Sharks, seemingly being rested, but they still have a strong centre pairing in Jeremy Ward and Andre Esterhuizen.
Ward is not the only promising young player handed a start. Sanele Nohamba gets his chance to shine at scrumhalf. He starts alongside another huge talent in Curwin Bosch, who gets the nod at flyhalf.
Rebels XV: 15. Dane Haylett-Petty 14. Andrew Kellaway 13. Campbell Magnay 12. Bill Meakes 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Andrew Deegan 9. Ryan Louwrens 8. Isi Naisarani 7. Richard Hardwick 6. Michael Wells 5. Matt Philip 4. Ross Haylett-Petty 3. Jermaine Ainsley 2. Steven Misa 1. Matt Gibbon
Rebels bench: 16. Anaru Rangi 17. Cameron Orr 18. Ruan Smith 19. Gideon Koegelenberg 20. Angus Cottrell 21. Rob Leota 22. Frank Lomani 23. Tom English
Sharks XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi‚ 14 Madosh Tambwe‚ 13 Jeremy Ward‚ 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c)‚ 11 Makazole Mapimpi‚ 10 Curwin Bosch‚ 9 Sanele Nohamba‚ 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe‚ 7 Tyler Paul‚ 6 James Venter‚ 5 Hyron Andrews‚ 4 Ruben van Heerden‚ 3 Thomas du Toit‚ 2 Kerron van Vuuren‚ 1 Ox Nche
Sharks bench: 16 Craig Burden; 17 Mzamo Majola; 18 John-Hubert Meyer; 19. Le Roux Roets; 20 Henco Venter; 21 Louis Schreuder; 22 Marius Louw; 23 Lwazi Mvovo
Kick-off time: 22 February, 05:45
Prediction: Sharks by three.
Read about all the weekend’s Super Rugby predictions for Round 4 here.
