The last time the table topping Chiefs visited Durban they left as 18-19 winners over the Sharks so they will start the match full of confidence.

The Sharks and the Chiefs have played each other 14 times and both teams have won 7 matches each.

The average score when the Sharks play the Chiefs is Sharks 26 Chiefs 25 giving the Sharks a marginal edge. In Durban the average scores is Sharks 32 Chiefs 26.

The two teams have played each other 7 times in Durban and the Sharks have won four and the Chiefs three.

That means that the Sharks have only won 57% of their matches against the Chiefs in Durban.

The Chiefs are enjoying their best-ever start in any Super Rugby season, having lost just one of their first seven matches thus far.

However the Sharks generally perform well when they return from a tour as they have won 9 out of their 13 first match back at home following a tour.

Both teams go into the match off away victories although both of the teams they beat are close to the bottom of the table. The Chiefs beat the 11th placed Cheetahs and the Sharks beat the 14th placed Blues.

While the Chiefs have only lost one match this season the Sharks have played seven and won six. The Sharks have had to travel further for this match as they were in Auckland last week while the Chiefs were in Bloemfontein.

The Bookies have given the Chiefs a 2 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. The Chiefs like Durban and they are not the number one team for nothing. The Chiefs could sneak this one by a point.

This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports HD4.

Average score:

Last five results
18 Mar 2011 Sharks v Chiefs 9-15 Hamilton
13 Feb 2010 Sharks v Chiefs 18-19 Durban
28 Feb 2009 Sharks v Chiefs 22-15 Hamilton
17 May 2008 Sharks v Chiefs 47-25 Durban
21 Apr 2007 Sharks v Chiefs 27-35 Hamilton

Sharks overall record against the Chiefs
Played 14, Wins 7, Losses 7 , Draws 0

Match No .59: Sharks v Chiefs
Date Saturday 21 April
Venue : Durban
Kick Off local: 17:05
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Assistant Ref 1:Keith Brown
Assistant Ref 2:Reuben Roussouw
TMO:Shaun Veldsman

Teams

Sharks

1. Dale Chadwick , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 4. Steven Sykes , 5. Anton Bresler , 6. Jacques Botes , 7. Willem Alberts , 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain) , 9. Charl McLeod , 10. Patrick Lambie , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 12. Tim Whitehead , 13. JP Pietersen , 14. Louis Ludik , 15. Riaan Viljoen

Replacements , 16. Craig Burden , 17. Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Marcell Coetzee , 21. Frederic Michalak , 22. Meyer Bosman

Chiefs

1. Arizona Taumalolo , 2. Mahonri Schwalger , 3. Ben Tameifuna , 4. Craig Clarke (c) , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Liam Messam , 7. Sam Cane , 8. Alex Bradley , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden , 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Richard Kahui , 14. Lelia Masaga , 15. Andrew Horrell

Replacements :16. Hika Elliot , 17. Josh Hohneck , 18. Michael Fitzgerald , 19. Tanerau Latimer , 20. Augustine Pulu , 21. Jackson Willison , 22. Robbie Robinson