Sharks need to get a grip

The Sharks will have to show better control and accuracy if they want to get back to winning ways against the Cheetahs this weekend.

The Durban side suffered their first loss of the season against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last weekend and coach John Plumtree has called for them to focus on getting the details right against the Cheetahs in order to bounce back.

Plumtree was disappointed with his side's handling and defensive organisation in Pretoria, and he knows that they cannot afford to be as slack against a Cheetahs side that has the weaponry to punish any sloppiness at Kings Park on Saturday.

He said: "We're looking for a major improvement in our ball-handling and also our defence, we just weren't good enough defensively on the weekend.

"We created some space but we weren't accurate enough to convert so it's making sure that when we do get our motion and rhythm going in our attack, that we are good enough to finish off. It was just little things letting us down in that match," added Plumtree.

The Sharks boss explained that although they have had a few results go their way so far, his team has a lot of developing to do, and he is hoping that the experience against the Blue Bulls taught them a few valuable lessons.

"Even though we've won a couple of games, we aren't happy with where we are right now," he admitted. "On the weekend [against the Blue Bulls], we played some really good rugby but we conceded 42 points which isn't good enough. So we will look to get better and better."

Plumtree said that the Cheetahs will provide the perfect test this weekend, as although both sides have been weakened, it is always highly competitive when the two sides meet.

"Both sides have suffered player losses, through injury and Springbok call-ups, but we know what the Currie Cup is all about, it's a test of depth and it should be a really good game, I don't think there is a lot between the two teams," he said.

The Sharks will make a call on the availability of Meyer Bosman on Wednesday, but there are no new injury concerns otherwise.