JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 17: Tendai “Beast Mtawarira of the Sharks during the Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on February 17, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Super Rugby: Rebels vs Sharks – team news, kick-off time and live stream

A return to winning Super Rugby ways is the order of the day for both sides as the Rebels host South African tourists the Sharks in Melbourne on Friday.

by Anton Smith

23-03-2018 09:15

in Rugby

The Rebels and the Sharks meet in Melbourne on Friday, with both needing to get back to winning ways in Super Rugby.

Robert du Preez’s South African side began their tour of Australasia with defeat at the hands of the Brumbies.

The tourists went down 24-17 in Canberra after being outdone by the kicking of Wharenui Hawera.

A rude awakening was the Rebels’ dubious reward for last Sunday’s trip to Sydney.

They dropped from the top of the log for the first time this season.

And it was a 51-27 pasting by near-rivals the Waratahs that did the damage.

A home game is just the ticket as they try to set the record straight.

Rebels team and injury news

Geoff Parling, Colby Fainga’a and centre Billy Meakes are all in line for their first starts of 2018 at lock, flank and centre respectively.

Dane Haylett-Petty and Ben Daley aren’t ready to return following their concussions last week.

Fijian pair Sefa Naivalu and Marika Koroibete, however, occupy the wings in tandem for the first time.

Anaru Rangi is also a starter at hooker, with Jordan Uelese ruled out by a hamstring injury.

Rebels: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.

Substitutes: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 Michael Ruru, 23 Tom English.

Sharks team and injury news

Sbu Nkosi and Lwazi Mvovo take over a wing apiece from Kobus van Dyk and Makazole Mapimpi.

Marius Louw is in at 12 for the injured Andre Esterhuizen, while Jean-Luc du Preez is back in at blindside flank.

Garth April, Franco Marais and Hyron Andrews all find a spot among the replacements.

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Garth April.