Lions vs Sharks Predictions & Tips - Sharks backed for win against the odds

Both teams are in fine form but the Sharks have been the more convincing side over recent weeks. The Lions were fortunate in two of their victories while the Sharks beat the high-flying Bulls last weekend – the tip for this match is a Sharks win.

Sharks have won their last four matches against the Lions including a 30-28 victory in the 2019 Currie Cup. Their match earlier this season during Super Rugby Unlocked was called off due to COVID-19.

The Lions have shown some impressive form recently and find themselves in fourth position on the Currie Cup table. Victory this weekend will take them above the second-placed Sharks, albeit having played a game more.

After an inconsistent Super Rugby Unlocked competition in which the Lions had to share the points on two occasions due to COVID-19, they have won all three Currie Cup matches.

It began with a 20-17 win away at the Griquas where the Lions were slightly fortunate. The match was called off with more than 20 minutes to play and just after the Lions took the lead for the first time. 

Thereafter the Johanneburg-based outfit came from behind to win 22-19 against Western Province. Last week the Lions dominated the defending Currie Cup champions, the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein as they went on to win 39-23.

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named an unchanged team to face the Sharks this weekend. There are however doubts over Sti Sithole and Vincent Tshituka, and if they fail their late fitness test we will see Wlhelm van der Sluys and Dylan Smith come in.

Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Andre Warner all scored tries last week and have been rewarded with another start.

Sharks are currently second on the Currie Cup table, seven points behind the Bulls. They do however have a game in hand over the Pretoria side.

The Sharks won their Currie Cup opener 45-10 in a convincing performance against the Pumas. The second week brought a bye for the Durban-based franchise and they took full advantage of that period to prepare for the top-of-the-table Bulls.

It was a match befitting that of two teams at the peak of their powers, a match the Sharks narrowly won 32-29. The Bulls had the opportunity to level the scores with the last kick of the game but it sailed wide of the posts and the Sharks could breathe a sigh of relief.

Aston Fortuin will make his Sharks debut at lock this weekend while we also see the return of hooker Kerron van Vuuren. 

Sharks coach, Sean Everitt has an unchanged backline from last week but the injured Thomas du Toit is replaced by Michael Kumbirai at prop.