'We don't want to be a side that makes excuses'

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe says his team are not going to play the blame game for their performances in recent weeks.

With several Springbok stars at their disposal, the Sharks have been under the spotlight for their game plan, especially after their 5-21 defeat to Edinburgh over the weekend.

The game was played in torrential rain in Durban – accompanied by more than 80 percent humidity and a temperature of 23 degrees – yet Edinburgh acclimatised brilliantly and outplayed the home side.

After the match, Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said the conditions were a factor in the game, but he refused to blame his team’s defeat on the weather.

And Notshe has echoed his coach’s sentiments as they prepare for a clash against the Dragons at Kings Park on Friday.

“We must never make this weather thing an excuse,” said Notshe.

“We are playing at home; we are playing in front of our people. We must always have energy if that makes sense.

“We must control things that we can control. We can’t control the weather.

“If it’s windy, we have to play. If it’s raining, we have to play.

“We don’t want to be a side that makes excuses and start waiting for a sunny day in Durban.

“Sometimes sunny days don’t even come.

“We know Durban is beautiful and it is lovely out here, but we must never be a side that waits for a sunny day to play good rugby. We must always express ourselves.”

#ICYMI: There are more questions than answers after Saturday’s performance #URC #SHAvEDI https://t.co/4igtWPjz89

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The Sharks were wasteful when it came to opportunities in the Edinburgh half and it has been a big talking point in the Sharks camp this week.

“Our conversion rate is something that we spoke about and it hasn’t been great,” Notshe explained.

“We know how to get there, but we just need to finish off the opportunities that we create for ourselves.

“That is time on the saddle and that is time on the training pitch and training those sort of situations that we put ourselves in.”

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