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Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Jonathon White
Assistant Referees: Marius Jonker
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
Sharks-Cheetahs is the first of a double-header in South Africa on Saturday. Both teams have performed well so far, with the Cheetahs being an absolute surprise, winning 3 out of 4 matches on their tour, and the Sharks having the best defense in the competition. This will be a match where the best defense will play the most exciting offense. This game will decide who will be top of the SA conference at the end of the weekend. If the Cheetahs win, they will possibly pass the Sharks on the log, with the difference being only 3 points. Can the Cheetahs score tries against this team, like they did in week 2? The Brumbies (4 tries) and Cheetahs (3 tries) combine for 70% of the conceded tries by the Sharks. The Cheetahs however, are known for their flamboyant playing style, which unfortunately results in conceding more tries than they're scoring themselves. Can they get their defensive line ready for the Sharks back-line and win in Durban?
Some stats:
The Sharks have the best defense in the competition with only 115 points conceded.
On attack, the Sharks struggle. They have scored the least tries in the competition (13). Only the Bulls and Stormers are equally bad at crossing the try-line. Even the Highlanders, who have yet to record a win this year, have scored more tries (14).
History in Durban:
2012: Sharks 34-15 Cheetahs
2011: Sharks 24-9 Cheetahs
2010: Sharks 20-25 Cheetahs
2008: Sharks 33-14 Cheetahs
2006: Sharks 26-27 Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have been a real bogey team for the Sharks since the turn of the century, both at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level. However, the last few years that seems to have changed. The last time the Cheetahs won in Durban in 2010, current Sharks full-back Riaan Viljoen scored the only Cheetahs try and added 2 penalties to give them a 20-25 win. The only other win was in 2006, the first time the Cheetahs franchise played in Durban after the expansion to 14 teams.
Other matches this weekend:
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...urricanes-vs-Force-in-Wellington-(19-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Waratahs-vs-Chiefs-in-Sydney-(19-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...s-vs-Highlanders-in-Christchurch-(20-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Reds-vs-Brumbies-in-Brisbane-(20-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...Kings-vs-Bulls-in-Port-Elizabeth-(20-04-2013)
BYE
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...urricanes-vs-Force-in-Wellington-(19-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Waratahs-vs-Chiefs-in-Sydney-(19-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...s-vs-Highlanders-in-Christchurch-(20-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...gby-Reds-vs-Brumbies-in-Brisbane-(20-04-2013)
http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...Kings-vs-Bulls-in-Port-Elizabeth-(20-04-2013)
BYE