The Southern Kings, who have been in scintillating form playing an attractive brand of rugby, will be out to make a statement against a strong Sharks side that is picking up its form. Join us at The Roar for live scores and a blog at 1:15am AEST.
The Kings’ key goal will be consistency. They will be out to better previous performances that earned them big victories. They face a tough Durban outfit that is also picking up form of late.
Lionel Cronje, who has played for every top South African franchise at some level, will remember how the Sharks released him in 2015 after joining in 2014.
Having moved around throughout his career, he seems to have found his home at the Kings, particularly being a player who was schooled at Queens College in the Eastern Cape.
The experienced Schalk van der Merwe will start at loosehead prop for Justin Ferwood who suffered a knee injury.
On the bench sees Chris Heiberg comes in as prop cover, while Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda will be looking to make his Super Rugby debut in the second-row.
The Sharks are well aware that they will have to minimise on the errors, especially when they are facing a side that feeds off scrappy play and are good on the counter.
They have clearly shown the Kings some respect by fielding their strongest match twenty-three, and making their intentions clear that they want to come away with a victory.
The men from Durban will be without the in-form youngster, Curwin Bosch, who has joined the Baby Boks ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship taking place in Georgia.
They do, however, welcome back Patrick Lambie in the starting XV since round three and will also be taking the captaincy role from Philip van der Walt.
Beast Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen return in the starting front row after coming off the bench against the Western Force.
Another notable change is Garth April who returns to the match twenty-three.
The Sharks have openly made their intentions known by looking dominate in the forward pack, boasting a powerful starting eight.
Prediction
The Sharks have won all their previous encounters against the Kings by big margins. The Kings have never beaten a South African side in their Super Rugby, and will be in search for their first back-to-back wins at home.
The Kings seem to be slight favourites going into this game after displaying fine form in the last few games, and with a home advantage the men from PE should edge out the Sharks by four points.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Mjekevu didn't play, Alshaun Bock replaced him and scored the 2 tries. Cronje is definitely showing the form everyone expected of him since his junior days.
Grent Dosa
Roar Rookie
He's played for a lot of other franchises and never really been a first choice player but now he's really found his form and is playing great rugby. I think he's been great for the teams culture as well, clearly a leader and the players have really got behind him.
Grent Dosa
Roar Rookie
Good on the Kings, everyone wrote them off at the start of the season including myself but they've showed real guts and had a great attitude. Credit to the players and coaching staff, I think its excellent for them.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Dam. Well done Kings. Once again the Sharks flounder against a team they should beat, same old same old. They'll beat the Stormers and Lions at home though I reckon :-) Will we see the same backlash towards the Sharks that we saw with the Tahs fans? Somehow I don't think so..... I don't know about you, but to me it says something about the "entitlement" attitude. And the Sharks are arguably a more successful franchise on average having reached 5 Super Rugby finals and endless semi's over the years, albeit never lifting the trophy which the Tahs have once.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Your prediction was way off, Vusi! ;) Good on the Kings. Playing with great confidence after their successes. Much to like about the heart and pride they're showing.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yay I predicted this upset!
Nobrain
Roar Guru
L Conje is a great player thas has for some reason been in the shadows. Majekevu is a very good finisher. The Kings are playing much better rugby than last year and getting better every game.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
78' Try!!!! The Kings got a penalty and opted for a lineout. With a patient build up the Kings got some phases together and finally getting an overlap for de Wet to score a try. Kings 35-32 Sharks
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
74' Sharks get a penalty in front of the polls. April extends the Sharks lead 28-32 with 5min left of play.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
71' Kings are penalized for holding on. Sharks opt for a lineout.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
Garth April slots a penalty to give Sharks the lead with 12 minutes to go. 29-28
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Kings clear the ball off the scrum. Lineout Sharks.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Sharks knock the ball on the Kings 5m. Kings scrum
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
'62 Penalty!!! Cronje adds the extra 3 to give the Kings a lead. Kings 28-26 Sharks
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
58' Try!!! Lwazi Mvovo scores a try in the corner after Sharks dominated scrum and strung a couple of good phases to set up the winger. Kings 25-26 Sharks
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
Ross Geldenhuys is yellow carded for a high shot. April with a penalty. Kings 25-19 Sharks
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
Sharks have an attacking lineout just outside kings 22. Can they capitalise?
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
49' The Kings have a lineout outside the Sharks 22m
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Kings have a scrum inside their 22m
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Kings open the second half with a sublime 80m try. Kings 25-16 Sharks