The Sharks, who are in fourth place on the URC standings, will enter Saturday’s Challenge Cup knockout match against Lyon with confidence, with the French outfit currently in seventh place on the Top 14 standings with nine wins in 20 matches.
While Lyon have been inconsistent in their Top 14 form of late, the Sharks have done enough to establish themselves as one of the top URC teams this season by playing their way into contention to host a possible quarter-final.
With several Springboks within their ranks, the Sharks will be favourites, but they will be wary of the hosts, especially after having to fight hard for victories in two of their last three URC matches, and succumbing to a disappointing 10-7 defeat against Leinster in Durban last week.
All this combined with the fact that the teams will be playing for a quarter-final berth, means it could prove to be a gripping encounter.
Lyon v Sharks
Date: Sunday, 6 April
Venue: Mamut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon
SA Time: 18h30
Referee: Federico Vedovelli
TV: SuperSport
Challenge Cup | Live scoring: Sharks v Lyon
Teams
Lyon: 15 Alexandre Tchaptchet, 14 Vincent Rattez, 13 Josiah Maraku, 12 Theo Millet, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Léo Berdeu, 9 Baptiste Couilloud, 8 Arno Botha (captain), 7 Liam Allen, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Theo William, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Yanis Charcosset, 1 Hamza Kaabeche.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Jérôme Rey, 18 Valentin Simutoga, 19 Killian Geraci, 20 Maxime Gouzou, 21 Charlie Cassang, 22 Martin Meliande, 23 Alfred Parisien.
Sharks: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Jannes Potgieter, 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Mwande Madande, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Bathobelo Hlakane, 21 Tiaan Fourie, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Clara Munarini (Italy) & Luca Bisetto (Italy)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION?
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