Match Preview – Sharks vs Jaguares

The Sharks play host to Los Jaguares this weekend. The round 7 Super Rugby clash will see two of this season’s top sides in the South American conference playing in their first of two matches in 2017.

The home side welcome back star Loose Head prop Tendai Mtawarira. The Zimbabwean born Springbok is one of three changes match to face Los Jaguares. Additional alterations see Franco Marais and Stephan Lewies returning to the side. This sees Chiliboy Ralepelle, Stephan Lewies and Ruan Botha making way.

Los Jaguares Head Coach Raúl Pérez has largely stuck with the same lineup used in the recent home matches. Changes from the win over the Reds see both Nicolás Sánchez and Ramiro Herrera returning. Sánchez is in for Juan Martín Hernández, who is presently being rested back in Buenos Aires, while Herrera takes over from Felipe Arregui who drops to the bench.

Additional changes for the Argentine side have been made on the bench. Santiago Cordero and Santiago González are both back. The former takes over from Emiliano Boffelli who is being prepared for possible game time in the mid-field against the Bulls.

This weekend’s match is to be the 7th time in which Los Jaguares have played a Super Rugby game in South Africa. The current win-loss record stands at 2-5. One of the 5 losses was a 2016 fixture against the Sharks. On that occasion Bofelli and Cordero crossed for tries in what was a 19-15 defeat.

The Sharks would go on to also down Los Jaguares in Buenos Aires. The Durban-based franchise knocked-over Los Jaguares 25-22 at Vélez Sarsfield.

A win for Los Jaguares this Saturday would therefore be historic. The Argentine side has the means and form to do so. Coming off positive results in previous fixtures and a bye round a strong showing from Los Jaguares ought to transpire into a first win over the Sharks. In order to win Los Jaguares will be required to be at the top of their game and give away few penalties.

LINEUPS
SHARKS
15 Garth April, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Tera Mtembu (Capt.), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Inny Radebe

JAGUARES
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz

Replacements: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Felipe Arregui, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Santiago Cordero