The Sharks will continue their chase for a qualifier berth in the knockout rounds of the 2018 Super Rugby season when they face the Stormers at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, July 7, kick-off at 17h15 CAT.

The Sharks boosted their hopes of being one of five wildcards to secure a spot in the qualifiers when they defeated the Lions 31-24 in a thriller at Kings Park Stadium last weekend. Tries from Dan du Preez, Andre Esterhuizen and Lwazi Mvovo, as well as 16 points from the boot of Robert du Preez secured victory for Robert du Preez’s side.

The result leaves them in ninth on the overall log (and third in the South African Conference) with 32 points from 14 matches. They are just three points off the wildcard places and know that a strong finish the regular season (they have this game against the Stormers and a home clash with the Jaguares next weekend) could well keep them in the hunt for glory.

The Stormers, meanwhile, are mathematically out of contention for the knockout phase. Their penultimate match of the season was played this past weekend and saw them go down 25-14 at the hands of the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

It was a fourth successive loss for Robbie Fleck’s side and left them in 12th on the overall log and at the bottom of the South African Conference. The Cape side may not be able to advance into the qualifiers, but thwarting the hopes of the Sharks and attempting to at least avoid the wooden spoon in the Conference will be strong motivators.

Sharks Squad

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

Stormers Squad

TBA

Stormers v Sharks – head-to-head

The Stormers and Sharks have met in 24 previous Super Rugby matches and their record is dead-even at 12 wins apiece – even their total points for over the years is close, 503 for the Cape side and 488 in favour of the Durban franchise.

However, the Sharks have held the wood over the Stormers in recent times, putting together a four-game winning streak in the rivalry. It began in June 2015 with a 34-12 home win and runs up to the teams’ most recent meeting in Durban in April, which ended 24-17 in favour of the team in black and white.

Matches played 24
Stormers wins 12
Sharks wins 12
Draws 0
Stormers points 503
Sharks points 488