Cardiff Rugby v Sharks Match Preview

Cardiff Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks, 5.15pm

Scrummaging practice has been high on the priority list in the Cardiff camp this week and it’s just as well looking at the Sharks selection.

The visitors from Durban have no fewer than four Springboks props on duty in Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Ntuthuko Mchunu, and Ruan Dryer, plus two-time World Cup-winning hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

Meanwhile, Cardiff are minus their first choice propping pair with tighthead Keiron Assiratti away with Wales and loosehead Corey Domachoski injured, while frontline hookers Liam Belcher and Evan Lloyd are also absent.

So there’s a big challenge ahead for the men left on board to take on the physically imposing Sharks.

Assistant coach Scott Andrews - who won 14 caps at tighthead prop for Wales - has been outlining the work that’s been going on behind the scenes.

“We have done quite a bit of scrummaging this week!” he revealed.

“We know the power the Sharks bring up front. They have got some big scrummagers and big set-piece forwards.

“We know the challenge that’s in front of us as a pack.

“They have got a lot of quality in their squad, so we are looking forward to having them at the Arms Park.”

Cardiff lie third in the BKT URC table having only lost three of their first nine matches in the competition this season.

“We are in a decent place in the league at the moment whereas last year we were so close in so many games,” said Andrews.

“It definitely helps to get some good results. Hopefully we can perform strongly now against the Sharks.”

After this weekend, Cardiff will have just two more regular season fixtures left to play at the Arms Park, so they want to make the most of the opportunity with a bumper attendance expected.

“The crowds have been excellent here,” said Andrews.

“It will be good if we can get another good crowd and really good if we can finish off this block of games with a victory and on a high. We would stay in the same league position then, which would be good going into a little break.”

South African scrum-half Johan Mulder makes his first start of the season against his countrymen, while second row Josh McInally skippers the side, with another recruit from Bath, Regan Grace, set to make his home debut off the bench.

There are no fewer than 13 Springboks in the Sharks 23 in all, with Makazole Mapimpi and Jordan Hendrikse returning at wing and full-back respectively, while Grant Williams starts at scrum-half, with Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse among the subs.

Giving his thoughts, hooker Bongi Mbonambi said: “We expect a tough clash against a quality side doing really well in the competition, but we look forward to making our fans proud.”