Sharks vs Stormers: Pride, payback and URC derby drama in Durban

There will be a lot up for grabs at Kings Park in Durban when the Sharks and Stormers battle it out for bragging rights in the second coastal derby (5pm kick-off) in the United Rugby Championship.

For the home side, a rare double victory over their visitors from Cape Town could show that they’ve really turned a corner under interim head coach JP Pietersen. There is also the opportunity to strengthen their position in the SA Shield.

A hurt Stormers will arrive at the Shark Tank, looking for revenge after losing to their hosts last weekend at the DHL Stadium. So, this clash will be about pride but also about restoring the momentum they lost after falling for the first time in the URC.

Key battles upfront and at the back could shape this duel in expected hot and humid conditions.

In the front row, the scrums will be crucial for momentum on the attack. The Sharks will field Ox Nché, hooker Fez Mbatha and tighthead Hanro Jacobs, and they are up against an all-international Stormers front three with Scottish loosehead Oli Kebble, joining forces with Springboks André-Hugo Venter, and tighthead Neethling Fouché.

At the back, all eyes will be on Sharks captain André Esterhuizen and his duel with Stormers rookie Jonathan Roche. They are both powerful centres, but the experienced Esterhuizen and the home crowd pressure could make this a difficult task for Roche.

Then, the last time flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu played at Kings Park, he tore Argentina apart in a Bok jersey and scored a record 37 points to almost single-handedly win that game. He will look to repeat that performance for the Cape side.

Sharks XV

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Nick Hatton, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius.

Stormers XV

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Kick-off: 5pm

Referee: Christopher Allison (South Africa).

Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) and Jonathan Lottering (South Africa).

TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa).