Sharks vs Stormers Predictions & Tips - Sharks tipped for win in coastal derby

The Sharks will be desperate to bounce back from a horror performance last week. At home they will be looking to replicate their performance from their last encounter against the Stormers just three weeks ago. I am backing the Sharks to win as my best bet.

The Sharks beat the Stormers 33-30 at the Cape Town Stadium just three weeks ago. 

The Sharks began the Rainbow Cup with a superb comeback win over the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium. They were down by 20 points during the first half but a spirited second half performance secured a 33-20 victory.

In round two the Sharks saw another close finish but again came out on the right side of the result. The 34-26 home win ensured the Sharks went into last week’s match against the Bulls unbeaten.

Unfortunately the Sharks never pitched up and the Bulls annihilated them 43-9 at Loftus. It was a tightly fought first half but the Durban sides’ forwards were dominated throughout. That created plenty of space in the second half which the Bulls took full advantage of.

The Sharks are at full strength for this encounter.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche. 

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

The Stormers will feel hard done by with their opening day 33-30 defeat to the Sharks at home. They were the dominant side for the first half an hour and built a big lead.

Poor discipline cost the Cape side as they saw two red cards which saw the Sharks win. The Stormers were again on the losing side in round two, this time they went down 20-16 to the Bulls at home.

Last week was a third successive very tight match for the Stormers. This time they managed to score in the final minutes to beat the Lions 39-27 in Johannesburg.

Abner van Reenen has not had the best of luck at flyhalf but continues there this week. Damian Willemse remains at fullback.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). 

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Adre Smith, 21 Juarno Augustus, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tim Swiel, 24 Marcel Theunissen, 25 Dan du Plessis.