The Sharks will be on the hunt for a third consecutive victory when they go into a tussle against the Kings at Kings Park Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4.30am AEDT.
The home side will be without their captain and pivot, Pat Lambie, who fractured his vertebrae during the warm-up before their 37-14 victory over the Waratahs last Saturday.
Lambie was replaced by the exciting young 19-year-old Curwin Bosch, who capped off a man of the match performance scoring an impressive 27 points to secure the Sharks a comprehensive victory.
The volatile youngster will slot in at fullback for the injured Clement Poitrenaud.
Although the No.10 jersey was well marshalled by Bosch, Coach Robert Du Preez opted for the exciting 20-year-old Benhard Janse van Rensburg to lead the Sharks attacked.
In the front row Springboks props, Coenie Oosthuizen and Bast Mtawarira have been rested according to the resting agreement implemented by SA Rugby, while Chilliboy slots in at hooker.
Lourens Adriaanse and Thomas du Toit come as replacements. In the back row, Jacques Vermeulen starts at openside flank for the injured Philip van der Walt. Dan du Preez makes a surprise return off the bench after a long injury lay-off.
The Southern Kings are hoping bounce back following a huge 40-10 loss to the Stormers last week. Coach Deon Davids has rung in five changes to the side that faced the Cape franchise.
In the forwards, Wilhelm van der Sluys will earn his first start following his debut last week, and Andisa Ntsila replaces Thembelani Bholi at No.7.
Louis Shreuder returns at scrumhalf after suffering a concussion against the Sunwolves, and at outside centre Berton Francis comes back in place of Luzuko Vulindlu.
Alshaun will be making Super Rugby history as the oldest debutant at 34 years of age, starting at wing.
Prediction
The Sharks have won the last four encounters against the men from Port Elizabeth, and will be on the hunt for a hat-trick of wins.
The Kings have not won against a South African side on the road, they will be desperate to break that losing streak.
The Sharks boasts a young and exciting backline featuring the likes Curwin Bosch whose been slicing through defences, and a powerful back row.
With the quality and exuberance of the youth, the Sharks should take it by 16 points.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 4:30am AEDT.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Sharks were very fortunate to come away with 19-17 victory against the Southern Kings.The game can be summed by plenty of stop starts and unforced errors. The home side did not seem to have a game plan, there was no sense of direction from them. The inclusion of Michael Claassens and Garth April at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, restored some structure to the Sharks game. Credit to the Kings for putting up a great fight all the way to the 80th minute. The Sharks next take on the Cheetahs in Bloem, while the Kings play host to the in-form Lions. Join The Roar for lives scores and a blog for these games.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
FULLTIME!!! The Sharks have beaten the Southern Kings 19-17.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
78' PENALTY!!! Chiliboy gets penalized for a high tackle. Lionel Conje misses the penalty that could have possibly secured a victory for the Kings. Sharks 19-17.
AndyS
Guest
What on earth possesses a player to chip the ball in attack with less than a minute left on the clock and trailing by two points?!?!
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
75' Chris Cloete comes back on from the naughty chair. The Kings have a lineout.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
71' PENALTY!!! Bosch slots a huge kick from halfway to sneak past the Kings. Sharks 19-17 Kings.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
The Sharks played their get out of Jail card and hit the lead ... but given the status of both teams they mut be disappointed with this performance ...
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
69' Meyer knocks the ball to give the Kings yet another scrum. Too many handling errors are costing both sides in this game. Garth has made a difference in the Sharks attack since he's come on.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
66' TRY!!! Garth April throws an over the top pass for an easy run in near the corner for winger Kobus van Wyk. Bosch misses the conversion. Sharks 16-17 Kings with 14min left of play.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
63' The Sharks looked to attack from their 22m. Garth April punts it down the field all the way to the halfway line.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
On this performance alone, Sharks could not be considered contenders ....
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
59' The Kings earn another scrum off a Sharks knock on. The score remains 11-17 to the Kings.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
56' The KIngs have a scrum. There's been a lot of stop starts which is affecting the flow of the game.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
52' The home side have a lineout in their own 22m.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
49' Lock Stephan Lewies knocks the ball on 10m away from the Kings try line. Scrum for the KIngs.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
47' PENALTY!!! Cronje extends the KIngs' lead again. Sharks 11-17 Kiings.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
43' Penalty! The Kings gives away a penalty just outside their 22m. Bosch strikes it sweetly. The Sharks close the gap 11-14.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
SECOND HALF!!! Cronje gets the second half underway. This promises to be an exciting half. The Sharks have a lot to show for. Can the Kings cause an upset and come away with a victory?
Agreed,
Well how does a rugby supporter say anything positive about the Sharks?