No margin for error for Sharks

Underestimate the Blue Bulls at your peril. This is the blunt message delivered by Sharks backline coach Sean Everitt to his charges.

The table-topping Sharks travel to Pretoria on Friday to take on a Bulls desperate to get into the play-offs.

With just two rounds of the regular season remaining, the Bulls are well aware that they can't afford another defeat.

The Sharks have set the pace in recent weeks and their 31-24 win over the Golden Lions last week keeping

However, the Bulls sounded a warning of their own with a 52-10 hammering of Griquas – the Kimberley outfit's biggest defeat of the season.

"The Bulls are a good team and a good franchise," Everitt told this website, as his team stepped up preparations for their game at Loftus Versfeld.

"I feel they have been unlucky as far as results go," the Sharks mentor said, adding: "They certainly showed [last] Saturday [against Griquas] what they are capable of.

"The team is coming together nicely and they gave the ball a lot of width, so I expect them to do the same this weekend."

The Sharks know the Bulls will be desperate, as they need to win to stay in contention for a semifinal spot.

"We certainly will have to be on top of our game," Everitt said.

The Sharks won't be lacking for motivation, as they are chasing first place on the standings – which brings with it home ground advantage in the semifinals and a possible Final.

"All provinces want a home Final.

"We know that to stay in the running for that we need to win on Friday and then beat [Western] Province again the following week.

"Neither Province, nor ourselves, if we are hoping for a home semifinal and a Final, can afford to slip up this weekend."

The only difference is that while the Sharks travel, to Loftus, WP are at home – against the Golden Lions.

By Jan de Koning