They have an excellent record overall against the Lions, losing just one of their last nine encounters - a 43-40 reverse at this venue in the Kick-Off Pools last March.

The Cell C Sharks produced a convincing victory over the Vodacom Bulls last month and have prevailed in three of their last five visits to Johannesburg.

Ivan van Rooyen’s side lost both of their meetings with the Sharks in the Rainbow Cup SA last term but did produce a fine win over the DHL Stormers in their last URC encounter on December 4.

The Emirates Lions play their first home game in the URC this season with both of their wins having come on the road at Zebre Parma and the DHL Stormers respectively.