At Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls will target their third victory in a row when they line up against the Sharks, who will have their sights set on making up for their disappointing result against the Lions last week, as well as trying to clinch the SA Shield.
Adding to the visitors’ motivation, they will be determined to possibly force their way into the top eight with only six pool matches remaining after this clash, while they will also want to make amends for their 21-12 defeat against the Sharks in Durban.
The men in blue will enter the match with a superior position on the table, as well as attack and defence statistics, with 263 points scored to the Durbanites’ 244, and 34 points fewer conceded, but anything can happen in local derbies.
Given the high stakes for all the teams with the competition nearing the business end, it is expected to be a humdinger of a clash.
Also to note is the fact that a bonus-point victory for the 10th-placed Sharks will see them defend the SA Shield, however, should they register a win without a bonus point, and the seventh-placed Lions topple the Stormers with a bonus point, points’ difference will determine which team lifts the cup.
Kick off is at 17:00.
KEEP TRACK OF THE LIVE SCORING AS THE BULLS AND SHARKS GO INTO BATTLE
Bulls v Sharks
Date: Saturday, 28 February
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
SA Time: 17h00
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TV: SuperSport
TEAMS
Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Morne Smith, 2 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Willie le Roux, 23 Stravino Jacobs.
Sharks: 15 Jaco Williams, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Thomas Dyer, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Siya Masuku, Yaw Penxe.
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