The Sharks will be determined to replicate their impressive United Rugby Championship (URC) form when they kick off their Champions Cup campaign against Exeter Chiefs in Durban on Saturday.
Despite suffering a home defeat in their season opener against Connacht and also losing away at Benetton in Round Four of the URC, John Plumtree’s troops soon hit their straps and are currently in sixth position in that tournament’s standings.
Since that lose to the Italian outfit, the Sharks have clinched successive victories over defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors and the competition’s previous winners Munster and the Stormers.
Sharks and one-Test Springbok loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi revealed that the repercussions of their loss to Benetton was a turning point for the team.
‘We all sat down and had an honest conversation’
“After our disappointing loss in our last game on tour to Benetton, some of the players that were a part of the Bok setup came back (from Rugby Championship duty) and we all sat down and had an honest conversation,” he told SARugbyMag.
“We discussed what we wanted to achieve this season and asked ourselves what it is we stand for as a team and what it means to play for the Sharks.
“Our focus is on how can we push our standards, make each other better and leave the jersey in a better place than where we found it, and that’s credit to the great leaders in our squad.”
The Sharks have a plethora of top-class back-rowers in their ranks which means Buthelezi could start the clash against Exeter on the replacements bench.
Despite facing that prospect, the 25-year-old said the Sharks would be taking a leaf out of the Springboks‘ book when they go up against Rob Baxter’s charges.
Copying Boks bomb squad model
“We take the same mindset as the Boks with the bomb squad,” Buthelezi replied when asked about making an impact off the bench.
“It’s something we are really proud of, if you are on the bench you have to make an impact at the most important part of the game, you need to finish it strong.
“When you step onto the field wearing the Sharks jersey you just give it your all, that is our message going into games.”
