LIVE SCORING | Champions Cup: Sharks v Toulouse

The Sharks are currently ranked in the top four in their pool, with two group matches remaining, and they will be determined to bounce back from their heavy 56-17 defeat against the Leicester Tigers as they now prepare for a massive challenge against French giants Toulouse.

There is no doubt that the hosts will have their work cut out as the defending champions from France currently lead their pool after winning both their opening matches in the competition.

With both sides boasting several international players, it is expected to be a battle of huge proportions in front of a vocal Durban home crowd.

Kick off is at 17:15 (SA time).

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE LIVE SCORING OF THE SHARKS AGAINST TOULOUSE IN CHAMPIONS CUP ACTION BELOW:

MATCH PREVIEW

Toulouse have never played in Mzansi since the South Africans joined the Champions Cup three seasons ago. They’ve hosted South African teams, among them the Sharks and duly thumped them at home.

France’s most celebrated club and the one that gave rugby life to South Africa’s favourite winger Cheslin Kolbe, have been irrepressible in the early rounds of this season’s Champions Cup. They thrashed Ulster 61-22 at home and then travelled to Exeter and were even more convincing in winning 64-21.

Toulouse are rightly considered the best club team in the world, with a playing squad boasting some of the best players on the planet.

The Sharks will get back Springbok World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi for what is expected to be a thrilling occasion, but the absence of injured Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi and centre Andre Esterhuizen has changed the potency of the hosts’ attack.

Springbok prop Ox Nche this week spoke of the physicality of the contest and the similarities in the rugby DNA of South Africa and France.

There is massive respect for the achievements of Toulouse from within the Sharks squad but there is also the challenge of knocking over the world’s best club team and the most successful ever in the Champions Cup.

If there is not a game to miss, then it is this one in Durban on Saturday. It could be a world club final.

Sharks v Toulouse
Date: Saturday, 11 January
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 17h15
Referee: Luke Pearce
TV: SuperSport

What is your score prediction?

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