Cape Town - The Stormers will end the Sharks' 2018 Super Rugby playoff hopes with victory in their coastal derby at Newlands on Saturday, if bookmakers are to be believed...
The Stormers, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention themselves, will do likewise with a narrow win, suggests the BET.co.za website.
The Sharks need to win their remaining two matches (against the Stormers and then the Jaguares in Durban on July 14) - as well as have other results go their way - to have any chance of securing one of the eight playoff spots.
However, BET.co.za have installed the home side as marginal 4/5 favourites for the victory, with the Sharks on offer at 21/20.
The draw can be backed at 22/1.
Such an eventuality, in conjunction with BET.co.za's other Week 18 odds, would see the Sharks fall short in their quest to extend their season.
Kick-off is at 17:15.
Teams:
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensberg.
Substitutes: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Craig Barry.
Sharks
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk