Sharks need to bounce back this week

The Sharks will travel to Loftus to face the Bulls, who managed to sneak past a spirited Lions outfit last weekend, knowing that a win could take them into the top half of the table.

Over the two weekends that they faced the Stormers, the Sharks forward pack enjoyed a lot of the dominance, but the team couldn’t use that advantage. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi knows it’s important to dominate upfront, but they need to fire across the board.

“Credit to the whole pack for bringing the energy; especially our back five and loosies,” Mbonambi said. “They work very hard keeping us honest up front.

“Credit to the coaches also who have really done their homework but we have to make sure that we bring it all together – backs and forwards – this weekend.”

This weekend’s match holds more significance following last weekend’s loss and for Mbonambi it’s important for the Sharks to focus on the process than focus on the actual result.

“Every week we want to get a positive result, but we are working hard behind the scenes and everyone is buying in to what the coaches are saying and doing.

“We have pulled together this week for the Bulls on Saturday and want to make sure we come away with a good result,” Mbonambi added.

The Bulls have become the benchmark for rugby in South Africa since the Covid-19 pandemic hit and for Mbonambi and the Sharks they understand the magnitude of the challenge this weekend.

“It’s never easy going to Pretoria and playing the Bulls. We know it’s going to be tough and physical; so we are putting our plans together to make sure that we are ready to go on Saturday.

“We want to take all the good things we have done in the past and put it all together this weekend when we get to Pretoria.”