VIDEO: Sharks wary of 'reality' despite recent resurgence
SPOTLIGHT: Despite their recent resurgence, the Sharks are wary of their own reality when they face the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
They might also have momentum on their side after upsetting the Stormers twice, but the Sharks won’t underestimate a wounded Lions team that had their number the last time they met.
This is the view of Springbok prop Vincent Koch, who fronted the media in an online press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Sharks’ rescheduled Round Eight United Rugby Championship clash against Cash van Rooyen’s side.
Both teams are on 24 log points, with the Sharks within touching distance of the top eight (ninth place) and the Lions just behind them in 10th spot.
Koch stated that the Sharks want to make the most of their upcoming two derbies, starting with the Lions and followed by the Bulls, to get themselves into the play-off picture after being in 14th place on the URC table before their two wins against the Stormers.
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“We look at the reality, and we know where we are positioned on the log. Our goal is to get into that top eight [play-off position],” Koch said.
“These two games are massively important for us to climb to the log with where we are positioned at the moment.
“If we can get two good outcomes in the next two weeks, we will be in a better spot than where we are at the moment.
The veteran prop said the three-week break would have benefitted both teams and that he expects the Lions to be a tough task despite them losing some momentum in their last match against the Bulls.
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“We had a chat as a team, and the reality is they [Lions] defeated us at home [Kings Park] in the first clash between us.
“I know the last result didn’t go their way, but they’re still a confident outfit, they’re a good franchise with good coaches and players.
“They needed that reset [three-week break] as much as we did just to reset and focus on the next few games.
“It’s very important for both teams to have had the break, get away from rugby and spend time with family before focussing on the next few games.
“These games are also important in deciding where we can finish on the log and where we want to go for the rest of the season.”
