Despite beating the Blue Bulls in Durban in the final round of the Currie Cup on the weekend, the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV aren’t taking anything for granted ahead of their crunch semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
A much-changed side ground out a 24-18 win over the Pretoria outfit at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this past Sunday, and while they will continue to treat the upcoming knockout clash as a quasi-pre-season URC game, defence coach Joey Mongalo maintains that winning remains a priority.
“It was our first game together as a URC group, so obviously to win gives us confidence. [We were able to see] things we’ve been working on in pre-season. We had a good review today, just looking at the amount of room there is for improvement for us a group going forward.
“We know that the Bulls are a different animal up at Loftus, they’ve got a great record of winning playoff games up there. They’re probably the favourites heading into the game, it only makes sense. Not many teams go up to Loftus and win.
“We know it’s another opportunity for us to progress as a group. So yes, outcomes matter, but we also want to make sure that we’re growing as a URC group”
The second-placed Bulls finished just one place and three points above the Sharks XV on the log after picking up seven wins and a draw in their 10 outings. That in mind, skipper Vincent Tshituka said that his side were expecting a huge challenge from the Herd.
“We know what the Bulls are like at Loftus. It’s going to be a lot of prep in the week and a lot of mental prep as well for the players to keep a calm mind, but also bring the attitude over the weekend. It’s going to be a bloody game; it’s going to be a game with two big forces meeting.
“At Loftus, we aren’t the favourites, and we’re very well aware of that. I think for me it’s just more motivation. I’ve always loved being the underdog and it just puts a different type of fire in your belly.”
Mongalo added that anything less than the Sharks XV’s best won’t be enough to topple the 25-time champions.
“The last time we were there in the URC they had quite a comprehensive win over us. And I think the boys will probably remember that [result] as a humbling reminder that, going up there, if you don’t present your best foot forward, it can be a day to forget.”
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