Refreshed Sharks target Lions scalp to fuel United Rugby Championship playoff push

The Sharks head into this weekend’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions with a renewed sense of purpose and refreshed minds following a timely two-week break.

After a gruelling block of fixtures that culminated in two magnificent back-to-back victories over the Stormers, the Durban-based franchise is now eyeing a climb up the log to secure a crucial playoff spot.

Springbok prop Vincent Koch believes the hiatus came at the perfect time for a squad that had been mentally and physically drained by the two brutal South African derbies against the Stormers, which saw them finally break their hoodoo against their coastal rivals.

"After the Stormers game, we had a two-week break in which we got a few days off," Koch noted. "Mentally, I think the players definitely needed a break. Those two games were physically demanding and mentally draining, so the rest and the break time with family was very important to refocus."

Since regrouping late last week, the message from the coaching team has been one of clinical focus. The Sharks are well aware of the reality of their position on the log, and the goal remains a firm push into the top eight.

The Sharks are one point behind the eighth-placed Ospreys and will move into the playoff positions if they can avoid defeat at Ellis Park.

"We look at the reality and we know where we are in the log and what our goal is to get into the top eight," Koch explained.

"For us, these two games are massively important for us to climb the log. If we can get two good outcomes these next two weeks, then we'll be in a better spot than we are at the moment."

While there were glimpses of brilliance in their recent wins, the veteran tighthead Koch insists there is still plenty of work to do to ensure they can be dominant for a full 80 minutes.

The Sharks have turned their season around ever since former Springboks wing JP Pietersen took the reins.

A significant factor in the Sharks' recent resurgence has been a fundamental shift in team culture. Koch, a veteran of successful campaigns with Saracens and the Springboks, noted that the "penny has dropped" regarding playing for one another, with Pietersen playing a big role in bringing the team together following a tough start to the campaign.

"I think we're starting to build a nice culture at the Sharks as well, and the culture at the moment is caring for each other," Koch said.

"When Coach JP stepped in, he took all of the pressure away from us and just allowed us to play with freedom. You can clearly see the enjoyment and the freedom the boys are playing with, playing without fear."

Saturday’s clash in Johannesburg will inevitably be a test of that resolve, particularly at the set-piece time. Despite the Lions' recent struggles, Koch remains wary of the Joburg side that beat the Sharks in Durban earlier in the season.

The battle at the scrum will be a highlight, featuring two of the most successful units in the competition. Koch knows that the Lions' scrum, influenced by former Springboks prop Julian Redelinghuys, is a formidable hurdle.

 "They've got unbelievable players and you can clearly see they're scrumming as a pack together," he said.

"We know our scrum gives the rest of the team so much energy if you dominate. This weekend is going to be a proper South African derby with scrums and set-pieces."

* John Goliath is Independent Media regional sports editor and a contributor on The Last Word on Rugby on our YouTube channel The Clutch