Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am believes the break between their last game and Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal against Western Province has served them well.
The Durbanites pulled out of their last group match against their Cape rivals because of Covid-19 infections in their squad.
But having had that week off and with the South African Rugby Union then postponing the semifinals from last week to Saturday 4.30pm, they had enough time to get ready for the match and make sure that everyone is in peak condition for the knockout clash.
Springbok centre Am says: “The delay was a blessing in disguise, giving teams a longer period to prepare for the semifinals and to sharpen up on the issues that needed to be improved upon.
“With the group we have that’s been together for a long time, missing a week isn’t something that we feel will bite us. It happens in season anyway, I still believe it [the break] came at the perfect time.”
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha and 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.