Share

Sharks chase perfect 10

Sydney - The Cell C Sharks, on a high after a historic win over the Crusaders, are looking to cash in on their dominant Super Rugby record over the Blues this weekend.

The South African pacesetters beat the seven-time champion Crusaders for the first time in Christchurch in 18 years last weekend and face the Blues in the final match of what has been a successful Australasian tour.

Jake White's Sharks lead the Brumbies and back-to-back champions, the Chiefs, by five points and want to keep the pressure on their title rivals with victory over the Blues in North Harbour.

The Durban-based outfit are chasing a 10th straight Super Rugby win over the 10th-placed Blues but White is wary of the unpredictable Aucklanders, who last beat the Sharks in 2005.

"We are going to have to defend, they'll definitely try run the ball back and they've got some dangerous outside backs," said White.

"There is a massive vibe in the team now and we need to take that forward into the next couple of weeks."

Openside flank Luke Braid returns from injury to captain the Blues after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.

Both the Brumbies and Chiefs have testing games this weekend, with the Canberra-based side away to the Bulls in Pretoria and the Chiefs taking on the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Brumbies are under pressure after losing to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and are just one point clear of the Waratahs in the Australian conference.

"We're not getting the rhythm that we want, a lot of our first-phase is getting disrupted, so we're playing on the back foot all the time," Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua said.

"You don't play well all year round, but we've got to pick ourselves up because the last three games haven't been up to scratch."

The Brumbies have won on four of their 10 visits to Loftus Versfeld while the Bulls are desperate to win to keep in touch with the top six playoff spots.

Regular captain Flip van der Merwe is back for the Bulls after missing three matches through suspension.

"Flip's leadership is very important to the team and as a senior player he does set an excellent example," said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.

The Chiefs may be leading the New Zealand conference, but the team's centurion Tanerau Latimer says the back-to-back Super Rugby champions have not been up to the required standard this season.

The Chiefs face the Hurricanes coming off a 32-20 victory over the Blues before last week's bye.

"The coaches might put it differently but that's my opinion and hopefully the boys have got a taste of it now and know what it's like now," Latimer, who has won 107 Super Rugby caps, said.

"It just shows we've got it in us. It took a long time to get it out of us but we know we can do it now."

The fourth-placed Waratahs have made two changes to the starting line-up for the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.

South African lock Jacques Potgieter returns to the tight five, while Alofa Alofa starts on the wing.

"The Rebels are always tough to beat at home and they'll have a lot of confidence, highlighted by their first away win over the Reds," defensive coach Nathan Grey said.

Coach Todd Blackadder has made six changes to the Crusaders side to face the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The entire front row has been replaced with Tim Perry, Ben Funnell and Nepo Laulala taking the starting spots while scrumhalf Andy Ellis and fullback Israel Dagg return.

In other matches, the Western Force host the Lions in Perth and the Stormers take on the Cheetahs in Cape Town. The Reds have the bye.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE