The Sharks will try to beat the Stormers for a third match in a row when the two sides meet in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday. The game at DHL Stadium in Cape Town kicks off at 4pm.
In the other South African derby, the Bulls host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. That match starts at 1.30pm, IOL Sport reported.
The Sharks lead the URC log with 10 points after two matches. They won both games at Kings Park with bonus points, and they are the only team to take two five-point wins in the opening two weekends.
Their latest win was a 26-20 victory over Leinster in Durban. JP Pietersen’s side now has to show the same form away from home.
The Sharks were helped by the return of their Springboks. Captain André Esterhuizen and wingers Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker added experience to the backline. Prop Thomas du Toit won several penalties in the scrum against Leinster.
Loosehead prop Ox Nché and lock Eben Etzebeth also played well off the bench in that game.
The Stormers lost their last two games against the Sharks. They will play in their “Men in Black” jersey at home in Cape Town.
The Cape Town side won their opening match against Connacht but then lost 17-13 to Edinburgh. Director of rugby John Dobson has a full week of training with his squad. The return of the Stormers’ own Springboks could give the team more depth.
In Pretoria, the Bulls come home after a two-week overseas tour with mixed results. Their last game was a 26-22 loss to Munster, and they have some injuries in the squad.
The Lions are third on the URC table after two wins at home. They beat the Ospreys 35-19 last weekend.
Against the Ospreys, the Lions brought their Springboks back through the replacement bench. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen is expected to want scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn back in the starting team.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann must decide how to bring his international players back without breaking up a settled team. IOL Sport reported that the Bulls stayed in the fight against Munster, but small errors hurt them.
Captain Marcell Coetzee and utility back Stravino Jacobs are both injured. If they miss the game, Springbok Marco van Staden could play at flanker.
Handré Pollard could start at inside centre next to flyhalf Curwin Bosch, who has made a good start at the Bulls. Ackermann is also expected to bring front rowers Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels back for the match against the Lions on Saturday.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.