Sharks have a pep in their step

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Phepsi Buthelezi says back-to-back Champions Cup wins have given the Sharks the momentum to beat the Lions in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Friday, as well as ignite their playoff charge.

The Sharks, in 10th spot on the URC log, came from behind to claim an impressive win away to Bordeaux last week, after a thrilling victory against Harlequins in Durban on December 10.

Prior to a two-week break for the Champions Cup, the Sharks bounced back from a shock home defeat to Cardiff and subsequent coaching changes to beat the Ospreys.

Speaking in a Sharks media conference on Tuesday, Buthelezi told reporters that Neil Powell’s troops are confident of taking down the Lions at Kings Park to bolster their chances of finishing the regular URC season in the top eight.

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“The mood in the camp is really good. As a whole, the squad is in a good space and are looking forward to Friday,” the loose forward said.

“The biggest thing for us has been our process during the week … how we prepare physically, mentally and emotionally. We feel it’s given us the results and performances that we’re striving towards.

“Yes, we’re playing in a different competition on Friday, but we’re still going to carry through that momentum because it’s still the same squad.

“If you look at the URC log at the moment we’re not where we want to be, and that’s definitely something we want to change.

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“So we’re targeting this game [against the Lions] and then the next couple of games in the URC, as we really want to put our hands up.

“We feel we’ve been really inconsistent in the competition, so that’s something we’ve addressed in the last couple of weeks, and now getting things right slowly but surely.”

The Lions travel to Durban on the back of a four-match unbeaten streak at home in all competitions and will look to take that momentum into the SA derby.

Buthelezi added: “I’ve had the privilege of playing in many SA derbies and we know it’s going to be very physical, and it means a lot to the teams. Yes, you want to beat the overseas teams but you also want to win your local games.

“We’re aware the Lions are on a good run at the moment, and come off a good win over Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup and are also on the up and up.

“But we feel we haven’t really shown SA what we can bring, so on Friday we want to go out and really make our fans proud.”

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Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

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Devin Hermanus