JP Pietersen says the Sharks are up for the challenge of winning four consecutive “knockout” games to potentially reach the Vodacom URC playoffs.
The Sharks are 10th on the log with four rounds remaining – seven points behind the eighth-placed Bulls – and must win all of their remaining fixtures, starting with the 11th-placed Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday.
However, the Sharks have lost six out of eight away matches this season, with a draw and just one win – against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium. Against overseas-based opposition, they have lost three and drawn one, against the lowly Dragons.
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“We definitely understand the position we are in and that every game is a knockout,” Pietersen said on Thursday.
“We’ve got four games and we must get four wins to give ourselves a chance to qualify for the top eight.
“The group understands that and it is good to see how rugby players love a challenge. Some of them just strive, and some of them are still learning about playoff games and pressure games, which is the group we’ve got.
“We got some young guys, some experienced guys and some in-between guys, and they’re all pulling together, which is great. Hopefully everything comes together on Saturday.”
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Pietersen expects a “desperate” Ospreys, who are playing for their future amid ongoing uncertainty in Welsh rugby.
The Welsh Rugby Union plans to cut the number of professional sides from four to three over the next two years and it looks like a straight shootout between the Ospreys and Scarlets (14th on the log) as to who survives.
“I think the future is still unknown but they are desperate and playing for contracts,” said Pietersen.
“We know they’re a tough side, a very physical team with a big pack who play very direct.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Sharks face pressure test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
JP Pietersen says the Sharks are up for the challenge of winning four consecutive “knockout” games to potentially reach the Vodacom URC playoffs.
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