The Lions will look to strengthen their grip on top spot in the South African conference as they shoot for four wins in a row against the Sharks who need to fight their way back to the winners’ circle. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:10am (AEDT).
It’s far from an iron grip for the Lions at the top of the South African conference, but last year’s grand finalists have found some form in the last few weeks.
They made an extremely slow start to the year, but have picked up three wins on the trot over the Jaguares, Rebels and Sunwolves, and while none of them have been convincing, they have been victories.
At this stage of the season though, the Lions will be looking to start moving through the gears, and that’s going to start down with a crack down on the defensive end, where they have conceded 96 points across those three victories.
If their forwards can get back to their best and start to minimise points at the other end, then they are going to be nigh on unbeatable, given their attack has been flowing well.
As mentioned, the South African conference is a tight-run thing at the moment, and just as easily as the Lions could increase their slender lead, the Sharks could take it over with a win.
They sit third, just two points off the pace, and with every passing week, that race for top spot is becoming more and more important.
The Sharks, unlike the Lions, started strongly, but have gone on to win just one of their last four. They haven’t been way off the pace, but in losses to the Stormers and Bulls – twice – they just haven’t been quite good enough to set the pace.
They need to fix up the one percenters moving forward and hope to go with the Lions in the forwards if they are going to find a way to pick up the crucial competition points in this contest.
Prediction
The Lions are at home, and while the South African conference has been all over the place to say the least this year, they should have the goods to get the job done here and pick up their fourth win on the hop.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this Super Rugby game from 4:10am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Superugby is becoming consistently inconsistent.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Interestingly this is the first SA conference game the Sharks have won. I predicted the Sharks would won all their games vs Aus & NZ teams bar the Crusaders (50/50 vs Tahs in Sydney) but would struggle against the SA teams like Stormers and Bulls. So far they’re 3/3 vs overseas opposition and 0/3 vs Stormers & Bulls.
Machpants
Roar Guru
I saw the stats just before half time, possession was 86%, territory 92% - that's almost unheard of over 35 ish mins of rugby!
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Have the bookies taken over SR? I mean , the Sharks could win this game, but not for this margin in Lions territory.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Boom!!! Fantastic ????
Harry Jones
Expert
I Just Don't Know How This Volatility Is Happening
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
What a baffling season of results it has been.
Highlander
Guest
Do enjoy watching the Sharkies when on top of their game, nice atyle of code
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