Growthpoint KINGS PARK, has undergone a number of name changes in the last few years and is somewhat of an institution for us Durbanites. Many of us started out in the scholar seats, with “Sharkie” the mascot as our entertainment, before progressing to meeting our first crush on the outer fields and then, upon reaching the 18 year old milestone, finally being able to have an ice cold beer while cheering on the Sharks.

The stadium is multifaceted, with rugby being only one of many aspects of fun and entertainment that can be had on match day. Prior to the game, many supporters can be found discussing upcoming match ups in the local bars and pubs, such as Billie the Bums, Hops Riverside and Jack Rabbits. Then, after the game, the supporters fire up the gas braai’s on the outer fields while young and old are entertained by live bands.

But let’s get back to the rugby. The Sharks meet The Kings in the final Super Rugby conference round for the season. Both teams have not progressed to the playoffs with the Sharks sitting 10th, an unachievable 8 points from 6th position, and the Kings bottom of both the South African and combined logs. This will not take much away from this South African derby, not with co-coaches Grant Bashford and Hugh Reece-Edwards looking to end off the Super Rugby season on a high and the Kings looking to show what they can do prior to their inevitable Super Rugby relegation playoff with the Golden Lions franchise, later in the month. Some of the highlights of this upcoming game are the return of Steven Sykes and Waylon Murray to their old stomping ground, and the continuation of Bismarck Du Plessis’s long awaited return from injury. Look out for some expansive running rugby as players look to impress the springbok selectors who will, with the Rugby Championship (ex Tri-nations now with the Argentinean Puma’s playing for a second year) coming up in mid-August , be watching the game closely.
Team sheets (10/7/2013):

Sharks: Still to be announced

Kings: 15 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 14 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Mpho Mbiyozo, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steven Sykes (c), 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Charl du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Grant Kemp, 17 Bandise Maku, 18 Darron Nell, 19 Thabo Mamojelle, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Michael Killian.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN!!!

We are giving away 10 double tickets to the Sharks vs Kings game this Saturday 13 July! Simply comment below and name your favourite Sharks player.

Winners will be announced via our Facebook page on Friday 12 July.

[button size=medium style=less_round color=gray align=none url=http://www.sharksrugby.co.za]The Sharks – website[/button][button size=medium style=less_round color=gray align=none url=https://www.facebook.com/TheSharks?fref=ts]The Sharks – facebook[/button]