Bulls vs Sharks

Cornal Hendricks of the Vodacom Bulls and Lukhanyo Am (c) of the Cell C Sharks and Makazole Mapimpi of the Cell C Sharks during the United Rugby Championship 2021/22 match between the Bulls and Sharks held at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 12 February 2022 ©Willem Loock/BackpagePix

URC LIVE: Bulls vs Sharks Saturday 2 December 2023

Follow the action live as the Bulls host the Sharks in a blockbuster URC South African derby at Loftus from 15:00 on Saturday 2 December 2023.

Bulls vs Sharks

Cornal Hendricks of the Vodacom Bulls and Lukhanyo Am (c) of the Cell C Sharks and Makazole Mapimpi of the Cell C Sharks during the United Rugby Championship 2021/22 match between the Bulls and Sharks held at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 12 February 2022 ©Willem Loock/BackpagePix

The Bulls host the Sharks in a blockbuster URC South African derby at Loftus from 15:00 on Saturday 2 December 2023.

Track the action with live scores from Flashscore.

Bulls vs Sharks: Live scores

Sharks coach John Plumtree says he isn’t counting Boks.

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“I don’t count them,” said Plumtree.

“It is just the Sharks versus the Bulls and we have got a few and they have got a few, but it [the result] won’t come down to that.

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“It will come down to who is the best team.”

Jake White added that the Bulls are out to gain an edge over their Shield rivals.

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“It is going to be a tough match. Last year they beat us, so we are not taking anything for granted despite the starts we have both had,” said White.

“Both teams will be looking for a win and every team wants to win their home game. Any away game is so difficult to win and we have seen the stats.

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“Especially derbies, they are like double-swingers as well, if you get a win, it’s like an eight-point swing because you take points from the game as well as points away from people in your conference.”

Teams

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Dylen November (South Africa), Phumzile Mbewu (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)