Cheetahs make Sharks nervous
The Sharks are coming off a disappointing 10-37 loss at the hands of the Lions last Saturday. However, they still have their destiny in their own hands after fellow play-off contenders, the Bulls, lost to the Jaguares.
The Durban-based will side are targeting two wins from their final two games to secure their quarterfinal berth, starting with the Cheetahs this coming weekend.
"I think with them [Cheetahs] being out of the play-offs, it makes them that more dangerous," said Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane.
"It is going to be a tough game. We have to make sure that we don't give them too many opportunities – they are a team that can punish you if you don't hold onto the ball."
Ndungane said they are wary of how unpredictable the Cheetahs can be.
"When you play a team like that you have focus a lot more on what you have to do.
"They can be a team that can punish you if you make silly mistakes, so we have to be clinical and we have to be composed in a lot of positions – the focus will be on what we can do and make sure that we keep them out," he added.
The Sharks have lost a number of key players to injury in the last week, which could make Saturday's game even more intriguing.
They will be without the likes of Willie le Roux, Paul Jordaan and Andre Esterhuizen, while a decision on Patrick Lambie's availability will be made later this week.
Daniel du Preez and Francois Kleinhans are expected back from their respective injuries in a few weeks' time.
Despite losing all those players, Ndungane feels that they have enough depth in the squad going forward.
"We lost Pat [Lambie], we lost Willie [le Roux] and then lost Andre [Esterhuizen] last Thursday and then we had to shuffle everything.
"Fortunately we got some nice depth and guys who can come in and fill those positions. If you take a guy like JP [Pietersen], he has played outside centre at international and provincial level, so that is one thing we are quite fortunate to have – guys who can play in different positions
"I think in this competition you need guys that can cover different positions. It is tough but we have to make do with what we have," said Ndungane.
@rugby365com
