United Rugby Championship Prediction – Sharks v Stormers

The United Rugby Championship spotlight shines on Kings Park, where the Sharks and the Stormers will square off in a mouth-watering showdown on Saturday afternoon, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The Durban derby is the only URC clash of the weekend and promises to be an epic encounter. Who will prevail? Check out our preview and prediction below.

Sharks v Stormers

Saturday, 04 February – 14:00

The Sharks head into the coastal clash with momentum on their side thanks to a hard-fought 19-16 win over Edinburgh in the Scottish capital, while a second-string Stormers side crashed to a 35-5 loss to Ulster in Belfast last weekend. It was the defending champions’ second defeat in a row in URC terms following their heart-breaking 24-17 loss to the Warriors in Glasgow.

There’s a 50% chance of rain, which is something to keep an eye on but not game-changing as the Stormers are the more expansive team with the Sharks relying heavily on their big hitters up front.

It’s not so much the lack of momentum but rather the ever-increasing casualty list that’s a cause for concern for the Cape franchise. They’ll be without a slew of players including Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat, Lionel Zas, Jean-Luc du Plessis, and JJ Kotze to name a few.

Both teams will also be sans their frontline Springboks as per national resting protocols. For the Stormers, that means no Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie, and Damian Willemse while the Sharks will be without Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi, and Lukhanyo Am.

The Capetonians will be able to call on the likes of Joseph Dweba, Deon Fourie, general Manie Libbok, Dan du Plessis, and Seabelo Senatla but the Sharks are in better shape with Vincent Tshituka and Boeta Chamberlain being the only players sidelined by injury.

Ntuthuko Mchunu and Carlu Sadie will provide the power, twin towers Hyron Andrews and Gerbrandt Grobler will look to continue where they left off and disrupt the Stormers’ lineout with Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Phepsi Buthelezi bringing added international-level class.  

After the defensive masterclass in Scotland, the Sharks will have complete trust and confidence in their structures and they’ll seek to build on that performance. That’s their key to victory. You’d expect a high-octane offensive outfit such as the Stormers to find a way through at some point, but I expect the Durbanites’ defence – and discipline – to hold up sufficiently.

On the flip side, their power game will take its toll on the visitors with every passing second and with their superior depth, they have more punch coming off the pine.

Trailing the local Shield leaders by 12 with a game in hand, the Sharks have to win this one to give themselves a chance of reeling the Stormers in and they should seal four points in a physical South African derby.