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 by challenging Sharks. Announced to be rested, Bielle-Barrey finally starts with the Girondins.
14:18 – 14′ – Kunene warned
Kunene, author of a head-to-head collision with Carberry, received a yellow card for dangerous play. He leaves his teammates just before Jalibert misses the conversion. The score is still 5-12
14:15 – 13′ – Penaud reduces the score
Damien Penaud manages to flatten and reduce the score with a pass from Joey Carberry following a good sequence of passes from UBB on a penalty touch. 5-12
14:09 – 8′ – the Sharks widen the gap
The Bordelais are not there at the start of the match, because of great defensive generosity allowing the South Africans to pierce them like the Sharks’ second try by Kunene. A true copy of the first essay. Masuku misses the transformation. 12-0 for the Sharks
14:08 – 6′ – missed transmission from Penaud
While the UBB winger seemed in an ideal situation on the right side, his transmission to Retière was missed.
14:05 – 4′ – Masuku opens the scoring
On a perfectly executed passing play following a penalty touch, Masuku went to score the first try of the match. The South African also transformed the try. 7-0 for the Sharks
2:00 p.m. – Entrance of players
Entrance of the 30 participants of the meeting on the lawn of Chaban Delmas, in a magnificent atmosphere.
13:53 – Joey Carberry replaces Bielle-Biarrey
It is the Irishman Joey Carberry who will replace Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the Bordeaux starting XV.
1:47 p.m. – Bielle-Biarrey package
Expected to start, Louis Bielle-Biarrey will ultimately be withdrawn from this meeting. He suffered from dizziness when he arrived at the stadium. The French international left the stadium
1:42 p.m. – Sharks decimated by injuries
The South African Sharks, under threat from Ulster for fourth qualifying place, traveled to Bordeaux without several executives. The second line of the Springboks (131 caps) Eben Etzebeth is the main absentee. Center André Esterhuizen (19 caps), also absent against Toulouse, will not play against UBB. Three other team executives will not be there in Bordeaux, in this case, Vincent Koch (48 caps), Makazole Mapimpi (46 caps) and Jordan Hendrikse (2 caps).
1:35 p.m. – The Sharks’ returning fifteen
Deprived of many injured executives, the Sharks team will present at kick-off with the following XV: 15. Pense, 14. Keyter, 13. Julius, 12. Venter, 11. Hooker, 10. Masuku, 9. Williams , 8. Kolisi (cap), 7. Tshituka, 6. Buthelezi, 5. Jenkins, 4. Rahl, 3. Nyakane, 2. Mbonambi, 1. Mchunu
1:30 p.m. – Sold out match
The meeting between UBB and Sharks will be played behind closed doors this afternoon at the Chaban Delmas stadium. Below is the video of the arrival of the UBB players
13:28 – Stop the bad series against Sharks
The Girondins will be keen to win this afternoon against a Sharks team who beat them in the two previous confrontations in Champions Cup, December 16, 2022 (16-22) at home then January 14, 2023 in Durban (3-32)
13:21 – On which TV channel is Bordeaux Bègles – Sharks broadcast?
This meeting, which will take place at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, will be broadcast on Bein Sports 1. To watch the match in streaming, you must go to the Bein Connect platform.
13:14 – A young referee blowing the whistle
An English quartet will officiate at the Stade Chaban Delmas. This will be led by the young 31-year-old referee, Christophe Ridley. He will be assisted by Joe James and Jamie Leahy on the sidelines and Dean Richards on video. This referee, despite his young age, already has solid experience since he has been officiating in the Premiership since 2016 and has already officiated on international matches, such as during the France-Italy of the last 6 Nations Tournament. Incidentally, he has a small link with France, since although English, he was born in Paris.