Sharks have learnt their lessons
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Sharks assistant coach Sean Everitt believes their improvement this season has been down to their ability to learn quickly from their mistakes.
The young Sharks squad have had a lot of growing up to do over the tournament, as the season has progressed.
The Sharks assistant coach referred back to this past weekend's victory at Newlands to show that although the team may be immature, they can quickly learn what needs to be done to get the required result.
The Sharks came out firing against Western Province on the weekend, scoring a try and breaking the line again in the first five minutes.
After that the young team seemed to lose their head a bit as they tried to play too much rugby.
"In the game against Western Province we got it wrong in the first half and probably played too much rugby," Everitt told rugby365.
"We have learnt lessons from that.
"We also realise against the Lions, we can't give them the momentum the Free State side did on the weekend or they will be really dangerous as they run onto the ball really well.
"We know where we are good and we know where we are bad so hopefully the guys have learnt from this past weekend."
The Sharks have the benefit of holding a victory over the Lions in this competition already when they defeated the travelling Johannesburg team at Kings Park a fortnight ago.
This advantage will be another lesson that the young Sharks pupils can take with them into the important play-off match.
"That game against the Lions was really close, and we were happy to get a win," Everitt continued.
"The guys will take some confidence out of beating them [the Lions] here at home to show that we can turn them over.
"Coming into the semifinal, the Lions are probably favourites seeing as we have had our ups and downs, but our guys will be very excited and know that they can do it."
The Sharks will travel to Ellis Park where the Lions are currently undefeated, but for Everitt the away game is not as big an issue for the Sharks.
"Obviously to play at home means a lot to any team, and obviously playing in front of your home supporters is a help, but our guys have played quite a bit of rugby away from home this year and done quite well," he said.
"They are a happy bunch that enjoy travelling so they will be up for the challenge."
By: Darryn Pollock
@darrynjack365
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