By welcoming a largely overhauled Sharks team, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, already qualified for the eighth, will have the opportunity this Sunday to definitively consolidate first place in Group A of the Champions Cup.
With 3 victories enhanced by as many offensive bonuses and a general goal average higher than that of Haut-Garonnais, Yannick Bru’s men hold the rope to finish first in Pool A ahead of Stade Toulousain. But the mano a mano will last until the end this afternoon at a distance between Chaban Delmas and the Ernest Wallon. The UBB will have to finish the job against the South African Sharks and no member of the UBB wants to take this meeting lightly. The coach of the Girondine attack, Noël McNamara, also underlined this week the importance of finishing first in the group. It’s a huge advantage and it’s an opportunity. We already had a quarter at home last season and we have bad memories of it. We did our apprenticeship. As I often say, it must be a perpetual change in his behavior. It’s important to us. In the first three group matches, we gave ourselves the opportunity to finish first in our group “.
McNamara undoubtedly knows the Sharks’ formation better than anyone, since he also coached the club’s offensive sector between 2021 and 2023. The defeat of the South African franchise against Toulouse last Saturday (8-20) nevertheless showed a certain solidity in the scrums and in the duels of John Plumtree’s men. Despite a reshuffled group, McNamara insisted on the opposing potential and the quality of the players who will be present this afternoon in Bordeaux. We know that we have to prepare well for the challenge against the Sharks. We saw the group announced by the Sharks and there are many players who won the World Cup, like Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Jayden Hendriksen, Lukhanyo Am. We understand that it will be a big challenge for us on Sunday.”
Cazeaux on the sidelines, Bielle-Biarrey at rest
But Bordeaux Bègles has always shown a lot of desire and will in European Cup matches this season which was not the case before. The authoritarian success against Exeter Chiefs (69-17, away) greatly impressed the Bordeaux staff, their public and their opponents. Despite notable absences this Sunday, such as that of Bielle-Biarrey (rest) or the second row Cyril Cazeaux, injured in the calf which are added to those of Romain Buros (sprained ankle), the Girondins have ample means to secure the 5 points this afternoon in front of their audience. Certainly, the Bordeaux second line sector is already handicapped by the injuries of Adam Coleman (calf) and Pierre Bochaton (back) but the quality of the UBB squad with elements as strong as Guido Petti, Alexandre Ricard and Jacques Nguimbous as well as the possible return of Sipili Falatea to the position of pillar should offer some guarantees of security to the Top 14 leaders.
In addition to the desire to consolidate the leadership position, Damien Penaud’s partners will be keen to win against a Sharks team which beat them in the two previous Champions Cup confrontations, on December 16, 2022 (16-22) at home then January 14, 2023 in Durban (3-32)
What time will the meeting take place?
The meeting between Bordeaux-Bègles and Sharks which will be led by the young referee Christoph Ridley (31 years old) will take place this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chaban Delmas stadium.
On which TV channel is Bordeaux Bègles – Sharks broadcast?
This meeting of the fourth day of the 2024/2025 Champions Cup will be broadcast on Bein Sports 1.
What streaming broadcast for this match?
To watch the match in streaming, you must go to the Bein Connect platform.
Possible starting compositions
The starting XV of Bordeaux-Bègles: 15. Ducuing, 14. Penaud, 13. Depoortère, 12. Moefana, 11. Uberti, 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu, 8. Tatafu, 7. Matiu, 6. Swinton, 5. Ricard, 4. Petti, 3. Tameifuna, 2. Sa, 1. Boniface.
Sharks starting XV: 15. Kunene; 14. Penxe, 13. Hooker, 12. Venter, 11. Williams; 10. Nyakane, 9. Ja. Hendrikse; 7. M.Tshituka, 8. Kolisi (cap), 6. Buthelezi; 5. Jenkins, 4. Rahl; 3. Koch, 2. Mbonambi, 1. Nche.
The different coasts
Despite having qualified for the round of 16, Bordeaux-Bègles remains the clear favorite for this match on the 4th day of the Champions Cup against the Sharks.
Betclic: Bordeaux-Bègles 1.02 / Draw 30.00 / Sharks 9.00.
Winamax: Bordeaux-Bègles 1.05 / Draw 25.00 / Sharks 8.50.
Unibet: Bordeaux-Bègles 1.03 / Draw 27.00 / Sharks 8.75.
Sports bets: Bordeaux-Bègles 1.05 / Draw 26.00 / Sharks 8.55.