Champions Cup Preview: Sharks Vs Munster Rugby

Sharks and Munster Rugby meet for the first time in the Champions Cup on Saturday when they clash in the Round of 16 in Durban, South Africa.

The South African side won their opening three Pool A matches to confirm their qualification for the knockout stages before being beaten 39-29 at Harlequins in Round 4.

Munster, on the other hand, won two and lost two of their games to finish sixth in Pool B. However, they have been boosted by the inclusion of Niall Scannell and Antoine Frisch in their travelling party after both recovered from injuries.

The match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 12.30pm UK and Irish time, and can be watched on SuperSport, BT Sport, beIN SPORTS and FloRugby.

Sharks Stats

• Jaden Henrikse has made more kicks which have been retained than any other player with 14. The Sharks have retained the most kicks in the Heineken Champions Cup this season (24).
• Sharks have maintained the highest rate of gain-line success in the tournament so far with 64%.
• They have been awarded the most penalties in the competition in the maul (eight) but have only scored one maul try this season.

Munster Rugby 

• Gavin Coombes has made more tackles than any other player in the Heineken Champions Cup with 67. He has also won seven turnovers.
• Munster have the lowest rate of scrum success in the tournament at 69%. They have also conceded five penalties on their own feed; only Exeter Chiefs have conceded as many.
• Munster have scored as many tries from tap penalties as any other team with four (equalled by Exeter Chiefs)