The Sharks and Cardiff will do battle at Kings Park on Sunday in the final match of round 8 in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

Overall URC head-to-head record: Played 1, Cardiff won 1

When they last met:

Did you know?

– Despite being second bottom for carries per 80 minutes (85), the Sharks are second-best for metres made per 80 (394.4). Key to this is their gainline success when they do carry, which currently stands at 63% , unrivalled in the league.

– The Sharks have been effective at maintaining possession when they’ve had the ball, only conceding 45 turnovers – the fewest in the league.

– Setting up another in round seven, Boeta Chamberlain has now produced six try assists this season, more than any other player.

– Cardiff have had to absorb a lot of pressure so far this season. Testament to this, they have made a league-high 1, 070 tackles. A workhorse in defence, Thomas Young is the top tackler in the URC currently, having made a total of 109.

– Young and James Botham are also fiendishly adept at winning turnovers, sitting at one and two in this leader board. They have won ten and seven turnovers respectively so far this season.

– Flyhalf Jarrod Evans was a weak link in the Cardiff defensive line last match, missing a round-high five tackles.

– The Sharks are on a five-match winning streak at home.

– On the other hand, Cardiff have won just two of their last 12 away matches.

ALSO: By the numbers: Lions vs Dragons

Photo: Ashley Crowden/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix