Sharks vs Toulouse Predictions - Tight contest tipped for Durban

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 08 Jan 2025

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Marc Thomas 08 Jan 2025

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Sharks boast 5 consecutive home victories.
Toulouse are defending European champions.
First-ever meeting between Sharks and Toulouse.

Sharks have won their last five home matches in all competitions (Getty Images)

Sharks vs Toulouse Preview

Toulouse arrive in Durban as champions of Europe but come up against a Sharks side with five successive home victories. I am backing the hosts in the handicap market.

Sharks vs Toulouse Preview
Head to Head
Sharks Form
Sharks Injuries & Team News
Toulouse Form
Toulouse Injuries & Team News

Sharks have won their last 5 home matches.
Toulouse have failed to win in their last 2 away matches.
Toulouse are the defending Champions Cup winners.
Toulouse have won their last 6 Champions Cup matches.

Head to Head

Toulouse play the Sharks for the first time this weekend.

Sharks Form

The Sharks season has gone well thus far, better than last season at the very least. Despite their world class players, they are still very inconsistent.

The Durban-based outfit does have a very good record at home though and this gives them a real test against a side that won the Champions Cup last season. The Sharks beat Exeter in their Champions Cup opener at home but were thrashed by Leicester away from home a week later.

The Sharks returned to beat the Bulls narrowly in the URC before going down to the Stormers in Cape Town last time out.

Sharks Injuries & Team News

This is a huge test for the Sharks at home against the defending European champions. There is little doubt that their strongest side will be out on the field.

Toulouse Form

Toulouse are among the favourites to win the Champions Cup yet again this season and have started the tournament with two successive wins.

The double French and Champions Cup winners from last season are huge favourites in Durban on Saturday. They began their Champions Cup title defence with a 61-21 home thrashing of Ulster before putting 60 past Exeter away from home a week later.

That was followed by a 17-all draw against Lyon in the Top 14 before Toulouse beat Stade Francais at home. Last weekend, Toulouse suffered a 22-19 loss at La Rochelle in the Top 14.

Toulouse Injuries & Team News

Toulouse are sending out a strong squad to South Africa for this fixture. They are huge favourites to win in Durban.

Verdict

Sharks v Toulouse

The Sharks have a very good home record this season, but this is by far their toughest test of the season. Still, I fancy the hosts to at least get within the +8.5 handicap with an upset win also possible.