The Sharks begin a crucial “mini-series” against the Lions on Saturday that could clinch them the SA Shield and put them in a strong position for a top two finish in the United Rugby Championship.
For that to happen, the Sharks must beat the Lions at Ellis Park (2.30pm kick-off) and next week at Kings Park.
Given the form the Sharks are in – they have played thrilling rugby in winning their last two URC games – they will back themselves to do the double on a Lions team that did the same things to the Sharks last season.
Coach John Plumtree is certainly excited about the home-and-away games on consecutive weekends.
“I love it, it provides a different element,” he said. “We know a lot about each other, but we’ll know even more about each other the following week. It’s like a little Test series.
“We’re looking forward to this two-week challenge. It doesn’t crop up too often in tournaments. That makes it pretty unique, and we are excited to see how it plays out.”
The SA Shield is a competition within a competition in that the winner is the team that garner the most log points in the URC’s South African derbies.
Last season, the Sharks never won a derby, but in the current campaign, they have won three out of four so far – their loss coming against the Stormers in Cape Town.
The Sharks are not leading the Shield going into this weekend’s matches, but they are just two points behind the Bulls with a game in hand.
But the worst thing the Sharks could do is get ahead of themselves and take it for granted they will beat the Lions.
Plumtree, though, has been around the block too many times for complacency to set it.
“The Lions have shown over the season that they are a very dangerous side,” he said.
“You underestimate them at your peril – and some teams have fallen into that trap, but we certainly haven’t. They did a double on us last year in the derby games, and can knock over anyone at Ellis Park.
“We were up against them in Durban pretty comfortably before we switched off and gave away the second half, but they gave us a hiding up at Ellis Park (40-10).
“We got one over them in the Currie Cup, but the URC is a totally different competition.
“We probably have more respect for the Lions than they might have for us,” Plumtree added. “It is going to be a good contest. Our forwards know they are in for a battle.”
The Sharks understand that the Lions are in a perilous position on the URC points table (12th) and are targeting this series just as much as they attempt to sneak into a top-eight finish.
Plumtree said: “They are desperate, they are at home, and they are going to come at us. If we don't pitch up for this game, we will be in trouble.”
Teams For Ellis Park
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse 14 Yaw Penxe 13 Jurenzo Julius 12 Lukhanyo Am 11 Ethan Hooker 10 Siya Masuku 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Phepsi Buthelezi 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain) 6 Tino Mavesere 5 Jason Jenkins 4 Deon Slabbert 3 Ruan Dreyer 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 Ethan Bester 17 Dian Bleuler 18 Vincent Koch 19 Lappies Labuschagne 20 Siya Kolisi 21 Grant Williams 22 Francois Venter 23 Eduan Keyter.
Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura 14 Richard Kriel 13 Manuel Rass 12 Marius Louw 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Gianni Lombard 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Francke Horn (captain) 7 Ruan Venter 6 JC Pretorius 5 Darrien Landsberg 4 Ruben Schoeman 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 PJ Botha 1 Juan Schoeman.
Bench: 16 Jaco Visagie 17 SJ Kotze 18 RF Schoeman 19 Ruan Delport 20 Sibabalo Qoma 21 Nico Steyn 22 Jarod Cairns 23 Rynhardt Jonker.