Get all you need to know as the Sharks look to make home ground advantage count in the Champions Cup last-16 clash against Irish side Munster on Saturday.
Venue: Kings Park
Kick off: 1.30pm, Saturday
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Road to the playoffs:
Sharks: Beat Harlequins 39-31 (h), beat Bordeaux 16-19 (a), beat Bordeaux 32-3 (h), lost to Harlequins 39-29 (a).
Munster: Lost to Toulouse 13-18 (h), beat Northampton Saints 6-17 (a), beat Northampton Saints 27-23 (h), lost to Toulouse 20-16 (a).
Picks: @mark_keohane and Zels are both backing the Sharks to beat Munster in the Champions Cup but differ on the margin of victory. pic.twitter.com/dj5L9NXwzz
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) March 30, 2023
MATCH FACTS:
Sharks:
– Jaden Hendrikse has had more kicks retained than any other player (14), which accounts for 38% of his kicks. As a team, the Sharks have retained the most kicks in the Champions Cup (24).
– The Sharks have maintained the highest rate of gainline success in the tournament so far (64%).
– The Sharks have been awarded the most penalties in the competition from the maul (eight). However, they have scored just one try from the maul in the Champions Cup.
Sharks vs Munster: When World Cup giants collide
Munster:
– Gavin Coombes has made more tackles than any other player (67). He has also won seven turnovers.
– Munster have the lowest rate of scrum success in the tournament (69%). They have conceded five penalties on their own feed.
– Munster have scored as many tries from quick-tap penalties as any other team (four).
Photo: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock