RECAP: Sharks v Griquas

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the live blogging of the first Currie Cup match of the 2019 season - where the Sharks host Griquas in Durban.

The Sharks are a much-changed team from Super Rugby, while Griquas show only a few changes from the side that won the domestic Challenge Cup.

Recent results:

2018: Sharks won 41-11, Kimberley

2017: Sharks won 40-22, Kimberley

2017: Sharks won 41-3, Durban

2016: Sharks won 46-24, Durban

2015: Sharks won 45-20, Kimberley

Prediction: Sharks

Margin: 22

Don't miss this week's podcast, as @rugby365com has an EXCLUSIVE one-on-one with Western Province coach John Dobson!

Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Jeremy Ward (co-captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu (co-captain), 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Rhyno Smith.

Griquas: 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Neill Jordaan, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 AJ Le Roux, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Mox Moxili, 18 NJ Oosthuizen, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Zandre Jordaan, 21 Chriswell September, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Eduan Keyter.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Vusi Msibi and Archie Sehlako

TMO: Christie du Preez