Champions Cup: Sharks vs Munster prediction, key battles and suggested bets

The Sharks are set to host Munster in the Heineken Champions Cup play-offs on Saturday, with the victor earning a place in the quarter-finals.

2023-03-31Champions Cup: Sharks vs Munster prediction, key battles and suggested bets

The teams have met only once before - in the 2021/2022 United Rugby Championship - where Munster cruised to a comfortable win at home in front of the Thomond Park faithful. However, the Irish can expect a fiery reception at Kings Park, matched only by the Durban heat.

Sharks' road to the playoffs

Beat Harlequins 39-31

Beat Bordeaux Begles 16-19

Beat Bordeaux Begles 32-3

Lost to Harlequins 29-39

Munster's road to the playoffs

Lost to Toulon 13-18

Beat Northampton Saints 6-17

Beat Northampton Saints 27-23

Lost to Toulon 20-16

Team news

For the visitors, World Cup-winning Springbok RG Snyman makes his first start for Munster since his debut in August 2020 after featuring off the bench twice since returning from a long-term injury.

The game will be Snyman's Champions Cup debut with Antoine Frisch, Craig Casey, Niall Scannell and captain Peter O'Mahony also coming into the side. Full-back Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly start in an unchanged back three. Malakai Fekitoa moves to inside centre with Frisch in at 13 after missing out last week due to injury.

For the Sharks, there are just two changes to the side that lost to Scalrets in Wales last weekend. Lock Gerbrandt Grobler comes in for Emile van Heerden who moves to the bench, while Sikhumbuzo Notshe is at No.8, forcing Phepsi Buthelezi in the replacements.

Springbok and Sharks captain Siya Kolisi is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits the hosts on Saturday.

"They are an amazing side," said the World Cup winner of Munster.

"They attack very well and they hold onto the ball longer than most teams in the competition. They are very good at the breakdown - on attack and defence. They got one of the quickest ruck speeds in the competition and they got a strong pack.

"There is so much that we need to look out for this weekend. We just need to be at our best in everything that we do."

Key battles

Two World Cup winners are set to face off at lineout time: Etzebeth v Snyman. With the Rugby World Cup just months away, Snyman will be eager to prove he can face up to arguably the world's best lock in an effort to book a place on the plane to France.

Suggested bets

Sharks -1 handicap

Bongi Mbonambi to score anytime