The Sharks had no troubles when they hosted the Kings in Durban, taking an easy 53-0 win and a bonus point to boot.
Final score
Sharks 53
Kings 0
The Sharks face the Kings in a must-win game for the hosts if they are to consolidate their position in the top eight. Join The Roar from 1:10am (AEST) for live commentary and scores.
The Bulls sit only two points behind the Sharks in fourth position and, luxuriously, have a game in hand. With only four points separating the top four South African teams, it would be most beneficial for the Sharks if they also came away with a bonus point.
Both teams have made mass changes to their sides, with Sharks coach Gary Gold and Kings coach Deon Davids making seven changes each.
Gold has re-introduced scrumhalf Michael Claassens, flanker Jean-Luc du Preez, lock Ettienne Oosthuizen and a brand-new front row of Dale Chadwick, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Lourens Adriaanse into the starting XV. Winger Lwazi Mvovo also joins the starting line-up at the expense of Springbok Odwa Ndungane.
For the Kings, Davids has given Louis Fouche another shot at the starting flyhalf, opting for the 26-year-old former Bull over recent regular Elgar Watts.
Lock Steven Sykes returns to captain the side, while Ntando Kebe, Stefan Willemse and Schalk Ferreira will all start. In a huge blow for the visitors, influential hooker Edgard Marutlulle will sit this game out with the flu, making their task even more difficult.
One of the greatest strengths of the Sharks is their defence. They have averaged the second-most tackles per game of any team in the competition, 127, but in doing so have also possessed the third-best tackle success rate (86 per cent).
In comparison, the Kings have struggled on the defensive end and have lost their last three games, conceding an average of 47 points. To make matters worse, they have also lost their last three meetings between the two sides by a cumulative score of 122-33.
Prediction
Unfortunately for the Kings, the Sharks will be too strong.
Sharks by 21.
Dave
Guest
I agree that it is a mess but disagrees with your conclusions and solutions - 4 SA sides won't fly because the bulk of the money comes from SA.. - SA can support 5 sides easily. Trouble is the top 4 have the money and the Cheetahs have some and the Kings have none.. - The 3 SA sides with the most money have players in in their 2nd team that could make the 1st team elsewhere. This fringe players dont help the top 3 sides much (except when there is a spate of injuries). SA needs the central contracting. - Also one needs to be patient with new sides. The Aus newbie shave developed over the years. Remember the Brumbies were newbies at one time. - Rugby had a duty to expand However expand at what cost? A shorter season with 2 or 3 pools may help. But the TV bosses will nix that
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Bulls/Stormers/Sharks hog the whole lot. The 2nd 15 in their squad is better than the weaker SA teams. In New Zealand they have a system to distribute talent to avoid this. If you look at my last article it discusses this.
Charl
Guest
People in Europe don't give a stuff about super rugby. They have their own problems. And 2 seasons ago many on here were bemoaning the Lions as a useless side.
James
Guest
@kingsplaymaker-are you suggesting the Sharks and Lions got the bulk of the talent in SA?
CUW
Guest
@ James actually it shud be SUPER 12 : 5NZ 4SA 3 OZ what they shud do is to expand the squads from the current 32 (or 37 ) to 45 . that way u will be able to rest players and get the good players some experience as well. this is rubbish. Kings Force Cheetahs reds wolves jaguars do not belong in an elite competition - that is supposed to be called super rugger. the problem now is , some countries are using this as a tournament to give experience to players ; by doing so they are putting out rubbish teams and playing hopeless rugger and demeaning the quality of a once great tournament. a lot of people think super rugger is better than euro championship - if this is the standard of teams , that would be a long stretch ....
hopalong
Guest
Agreed, Cerebral atrophy by Saru ,and indeed politicians. Have to feel for the players.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
It has nothing to do with quality. It has to do with distribution. South Africa put all their talent in three teams, rather than spreading it out equally, as New Zealand do. That's it. And the standard in Europe is vastly worse anyway.
James
Guest
This is a disgrace to SANZAR rugby. People in europe are probably laughing at super rugby atm. If SANZAR were even thinking about wanting to expand super rugby they should create a tier 2 competition which will promote the winner into super rugby and relegate the last place team in super rugby to this tier 2 comp. Keep super rugby 13 teams. 4 SA teams as they cant compete, 4 Australian teams which would suit thier number of pool players and keep the 5 NZ teams.
wardad
Guest
These poor young fellers in the Kings have been treated shamefully ,used only to provide easy points for the SA conference and little else . What is the point of having a team that has zero chance of winning a title or even making it to a playoff ?
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Sharks - 53 Kings - 0 I think the score speaks for itself. Clinical performance from the Sharks and disappointing effort from the Kings.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'77 - TRY! The Sharks, with 3 minutes to go, get Thomas du Toit to cross the try-line comfortably just after a penalty tap. Clinical performance from the Sharks, and even though the scoring dried up in the second half, they had already done the damage in the opening 40. Lambie sprays it. Sharks - 53 Kings - 0
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'67 - NO TRY! Good effort from the Sharks to attempt a try in the corner, but more disappointing and unfortunate news for the Kings - having a player stretchered off with a possible neck injury.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'58 - The game has changed pace and has slowed down after the frantic first half. Both teams giving away penalties and making handling errors, nothing much doing.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'49 - TRY! Patrick Lambie playing himself into the Springboks 10 jersey with another try, his second of the match. What a performance so far. Streaked away down the sideline to score in the corner. The Sharks are running rampant, averaging a point per minute. Fails to convert his own try. Sharks - 48 Kings - 0
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'43 - What an ambitious pass from the Kings there, not a good idea inside your own territory, but I suppose when you're this far behind you should be able to try anything and everything! Lineout to the Sharks just on the Kings side of halfway.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Game is back underway!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
HALFTIME Sharks - 43 Kings - 0 Well, I don't think this needs much explanation. Sharks dominate whilst the first 10 minutes for the Kings was wonderful. However, then it just went down real quick for the visitors.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'40 - The Kings kick the restart out on the full. The Kings are in dire straits.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'38 - TRY! The defence for the Kings is just falling apart, they cannot cope with the onslaught of the Sharks. Pietersen strolls over in the corner for an easy try. Lambie gets another. Sharks - 43 Kings - 0
JT
Guest
Sharks going at a point a minute! Kings getting a hiding