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Highlanders
20
Match Complete
Sharks
42
| 79 |  | A. Fassi | ||
| M. Collins | | 73 | ||
| 73 |  | C. Bosch | ||
| 72 | | A. Fassi | ||
| J. Nareki | | 60 | ||
| M. Hunt | | 47 | ||
| D. Hunt | | 46 | ||
| 43 |  | C. Bosch | ||
| 39 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 38 | | M. Mapimpi | ||
| 36 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 34 | | M. Mapimpi | ||
| 32 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 30 | | J. Venter | ||
| 24 | | C. Bosch | ||
| 11 | | C. Bosch | ||
| M. Hunt | | 6 |
| 3 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Following a first-round bye, the Highlanders will look to kick off their season on a high against the Sharks in Dunedin. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5:05pm (AEDT).
The Highlanders are another team who have lost a lot of experience in the off-season, with high-profile players Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Luke Whitelock and back-up flyhalf Marty Banks all saying goodbye. It comes at a bad time for the New Zealand franchise, who sneaked into the finals at eighth place, but still lost more games than they won.
The Sharks got their season underway in the early hours of last Saturday, when they outlasted the Bulls 23-15. Flyhalf Morne Steyn, and his kicking game, was the standout in the incredibly scrappy win. The scoreline flattered the Durban locals, who were only up 16-15 late, before a 79th-minute try sealed the game.
Playing on tour is a whole different ball game for the Sharks. Last year, out of their four games in Australia and New Zealand, they only beat the Waratahs – although they did hold the Crusaders to a draw, and claimed losing bonus points in their other matches.
This game shapes as an important one for the visitors: get the trans-Tasman tour off to a good start, and it could set them up for a good season. Lose first up, and the next three games could break them.
These teams have played just once since 2016, a 38-12 win to Robert du Preez’s men. The last game in New Zealand was a 15-14 victory for the South Africans.
In team news, Aaron Mauger has named six players yet to be capped for the Highlanders, including new flyhalf Mitchell Hunt, poached from the Crusaders. Outside him, Josh Ioane lines up at 12, while he’s partnered in the halves by the experienced Aaron Smith. The bench is decent, with Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown and Shannon Frizell adding some punch.
James Lentjes will captain the hosts.
There is just one change for the tourists: Sbu Nkosi, who scored a try last week, will miss the game with a minor niggle. In his place, Madosh Tambwe, formerly of the Lions, will make his Sharks debut.
Lukhanyo Am will captain the side in his 50th appearance.
Oddly for a South African team, the Sharks’ strength is in their back line. Makazole Mapimpi and Andre Esterhuizen take their places outside of the dynamic Curwin Bosch. The Highlanders lack depth, and while their starting side should hold their own at home, the bench – which crumbled in their trial game versus the Waratahs – could be found wanting.
Prediction
The Sharks should have this game. The Highlanders may take a few weeks to adjust to their new flyhalf and less experienced footballers. It’ll be close though, don’t worry.
Sharks by five.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5:05pm (AEDT).
Time: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Odds: Highlanders $1.42, Sharks $2.90
Last five meetings: Sharks 38-12, Sharks 15-14, Highlanders 48-15, Sharks 31-27, Highlanders 34-18
Referee: Angus Gardner
Highlanders
Ayden Johnstone, Liam Coltman, Siate Tokolahi, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jana Nareki, Josh Ioane, Rob Thompson, Tima Fainga’anuku, Josh McKay. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Jesse Parete, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Michael Collins, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
Sharks
Ox Nche, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit, Ruben van Heerden, Hyron Andrews, James Venter, Tyler Paul, Sikumbuzo Notshe, Louis Schreuder, Curwin Bosch, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am (c), Madosh Tambwe, Aphelele Fassi. Reserves: Craig Burden, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Le Roux Roets, Henco Venter, Sanele Nohamba, Boeta Chamberlain, Jeremy Ward.
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.