VIDEO: Munster coach makes big statement about Sharks

SPOTLIGHT: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has compared the Sharks to Europe's most successful club ahead of their Champions Cup Round of 16 clash in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks have endured an inconsistent season so far and they will be heading into Saturday's clash with question marks around their game plan after a dismal 20-32 defeat to Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Neil Powell's side also had their top Springboks back for the game, but there may have been some rustiness after a two-month period away from the game.

However, Rowntree saw a few aspects of the Sharks' game that could give his team a few problems at Kings Park.

"If you watched them on Saturday against the Scarlets, they were a handful. They can score tries," said Rowntree.

"Their power game is very impressive. I would compare them to Toulouse with the way they are able to play the game.

"There are qualities that you have to respect around their maul and scrum, so our discipline has got to be spot on at the weekend.

"That [discipline] was one thing that we were better at the weekend. We conceded seven penalties against Glasgow.

"Our discipline has got to be as good this week because I really don’t want to be defending mauls all day with the size of their [Sharks] pack."

Meanwhile, Munster wing Calvin Nash is relishing the prospect of coming up against Springbok Makazole Mapimpi on Saturday.

"The fear hasn’t kicked in yet if there is going to be fear anyway," said Nash.

"It should be exciting, you’re playing against one of the best players in the world – and in European competition now with the South African teams coming in, there’s even better players involved.

"You should just be excited about the challenge and about what’s going to happen."

Additional source: Irish Independent