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 |
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).
Game information
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
Teams
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.
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
World champion super teams
Highlander
Guest
Maybe the Head Coach should have read my article. All the warning signs were flashing red weeks ago.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
You and the missing five kilos.....Second player I notice you claim this.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Just got through seeing a recording of the match. Some excellent stuff from the Sharks but especially wanted to point out what a good game Angus Gardner had.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
I got my times wrong so I missed this one!! Will need to watch the recording. Nice one boys :thumbup:
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Yeah, never seen him play until today. Probably a good 40 minute player. Reckon he'll be more suited to Europe, but I could be completely wrong.
Harry Jones
Expert
He added 5 kg too
Faith
Roar Rookie
That is impressive. And Dyantyi was on steroids! Maybe Fassi is even on better ones.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Can't say anyone shone. Who do I need to keep an eye on this season?
Drew
Roar Rookie
Big body. Be interesting to see what his skills are like.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Great footage.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yeah he is touted here as a serious talent.. Big, fast, a huge kick and seems to have plenty of smarts. Willie Le Roux we love ya boet but methinks you may have met your match. He has Bok written all over him.
Highlander
Guest
You just watched them!!
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Yes
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
"Fullback really impressed me" 100% ditto that Sinclair Cheers KP
Suzy Poison
Guest
By the numbers. NZ v SA teams in Super rugby. 160minutes ( home and away ) 9 tries to 3. I will leave it up to you make any early conclusions. Could all change. No SA team has played the Saders or Chiefs.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
They’ve a decent record in NZ. Probably better than their overall performances might have suggested. I always remember the Du Plessis boys leading a 13 man effort against Crusaders. Big surprise to me nonetheless
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Except for the three missed intercepts in the first half. This game could have been over as a contest a lot earlier. The Sharks back three had the Landers number all night long.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
That is ridiculous deepth.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
It's only one game but Otago have some work to do and maybe they should avoid Highlander's pre-season article as it could be a long season for them. Plenty of spirit but they look in danger. Natal played very well and there was a lot to like. The short passing in contact and offloads, as well as backing up impressed as something new, whilst the brutal defence provided continuity with the past. Props look a bit on the rangy side to me and they will want to tighten the scrum. They won't always get away with boring in on the loosehead side to stabilise their scrum. Their full back really impressed me - the try at the end was the summation but he did a lot of good work before that.