The Sharks have endured another rough start to the URC season, and considering they have several Springboks in their line up, there is little doubt that coach John Plumtree is increasingly coming under immense pressure.
Both the Sharks and Scarlets enter their match in Durban with a sense of desperation after failing to win a match so far this season, which has seen them occupy 14th and 16th place on the log.
This, however, will also fuel their determination going into the match, as one of the teams should finally break out of their losing cycle.
The Durbanites will draw inspiration from the fact that they have scored 67 points to only 39 by the Scarlets, while they also boast home ground advantage in the expected hot and humid conditions.
But they will have to deliver a solid defensive effort to shut out the visitors, who have conceded 20 points fewer in their campaign to date. The Sharks have only lost once in the four previous clashes between the two sides, by 20-32 at Parc y Scarlets in March 2023.
LIVE SCORING | Sharks v Scarlets in the URC
MATCH INFORMATION
Sharks v Scarlets
Date: Saturday, 25 October
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 16:00
Referee: Sam Grove-White
TV: SuperSport
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 JJ Scheepers, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (capt), 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.
Reps: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
