VIDEO: The Sharks' Rubicon moment
The Sharks, still the most successful team ever not to have won a Super Rugby title, has reached their proverbial ‘point of no return’ in Europe.
The Sharks will look to seal play-off qualification in the Challenge Cup this weekend.
They can do so with a home victory on Saturday over Oyonnax, with the French team on the brink of being knocked out.
It will only be their third win in a season of horrors if they get over the line in the Shark Tank.
Utility back Werner Kok said the Sharks are still in a good space – despite having won just two of their 11 starts, including losing five matches by three points or less.
“The guys are hurting,” the 30-year-old former BlitzBok star said, adding: “It has been a few tough weeks [including a 15-16 loss to the Stormers and an 18-20 loss to the Lions].”
He said they started their week with a beach session and it helped the players to get into a positive frame of mind.
“We are at that moment where the tide will turn,” Kok added.
(WATCH as seasoned utility back Werner Kok chats to @king365ed about how the Sharks can turn their season around…)
The flyer said there are some growing pains and it will ‘take some time’, but they are getting close to turning it around.
The next two weeks may just be that ‘turning point’- the Sharks hosting Oyonnax at Kings Park this coming Saturday and then travel to Wales to face the Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport.
“The EPCR, because of our position [second in Pool One] gives us a chance to get into a play-off spot [in the Challenge Cup],” Kok told @rugby365com.
“This is a competition we can go for.
“The EPCR presents that opportunity to get into the play-offs and make it a successful year.
“It is [crucial] for us to find that connection in the team and get into a winning culture again.”
Kok said they have been playing a good game in patches, but at stages ‘the bounce of the ball’ has eluded them.
“When it comes off, and things work out for us, we will be unstoppable,” he said.
He added that they expect a ‘typical French team’ – a brutal forward onslaught and backs who like to display their flair.
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