In the last six matchups between the Sharks and the Crusaders, the men from Christchurch have won all six and the Sharks will look to get their first Super Rugby win Friday.
Watch online Sharks vs. Crusaders live stream, click here.
The Sharks have a dismal record against the Crusaders having played them 16 times with 14 loses.
"The Crusaders' skill levels are really high," said John Plumtree, coach of The Sharks. "Their backs and forwards handle the ball well, so our defensive plan is going to have to be very accurate. The breakdown is also going to be huge and we need to be competitive there.
"You can't have a meltdown in an area like the lineouts. It takes good, hard work to get into an attacking situation, and then to lose ball puts you under immense pressure. And you don't want to be doing that against a team like the Crusaders who are able to hold on to the ball for long periods of time.
"The lineout has been a big focus for us, not only for this match but throughout the competition. We're operating at around 84% and we've been going OK, but it is going to be tough, the Crusaders boast All Black locks.
"There is a mixture of reasons why the Stormers lineout failed, it's not one person, it takes a good throw, a good lift, a good jump and hopefully the same thing won't happen to us."
According to RugbyWeek.com, the last time the Sharks had a victory over the Crusaders was back in 2007 and they reached the final. Both teams missed out on playing each other last year due to the draw so the last time they met was during an elimination playoff game.
Last five results
25 Jun 2011 (playoff) Sharks v Crusaders 8-36 Nelson
27 Mar 2011 Sharks v Crusaders 28-44 Twickenham
26 Feb 2010 Sharks v Crusaders 6-35 Christchurch
18 Apr 2009 Sharks v Crusaders 10-13 Durban
02 May 2008 Sharks v Crusaders 10-18 Christchurch
Probable Lineups:
Sharks: Frans Steyn, Odwa Ndungane, Paul Jordaan, Meyer Bosman, JP Pietersen, Pat Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Keegan Daniel (captain), Marcell Coetzee, Jacques Botes, Franco van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jannie du Plessis, Kyle Cooper, Tendai Mtawarira.
Crusaders: Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (captain), Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett.
