The Sharks appeared to be putting the pieces of the puzzle together last week against the Glasgow Warriors, as they fielded Springbok players for the first time and rugby director Neil Powell assumed his job.
Bok captain Siya Kolisi came off the bench like a man possessed, while Eben Etzebeth played the entire eighty minutes like he was born in Kings Park Manor.
After a lengthy absence from his provincial squad, Kolisi expressed his delight at rejoining.
“It was nice to have Neil engaged because he relieves a lot of stress from the coaching staff – he oversees everything off the field and conducts the future planning, allowing the coach (Sean Everitt) to focus on the rugby,” Kolisi added.
“Neil also played the game (he was a scrumhalf for the Cheetahs and Bulls) and is active on the training field.
“Many of us have known Neil since we were teenagers, and we enjoy him… he is an honest and straightforward man, which we value.”
Kolisi stated that the Bok contingent of the Sharks had witnessed the team’s success abroad and understood they had to “pitch up” against Glasgow.
“We were glad to be back, and we could tell by the way the ensemble played that they had enjoyed themselves abroad,” he remarked.
“After the Rugby Championship, we had a week free, followed by a week of integration, and we are eager to give value.
“We were eager to play, and I thoroughly appreciated entering the game with so much still to do. We noticed that Eben was adding physicality, and we wanted to do the same.”
On Saturday, the Sharks will face Ulster from Ireland, and Kolisi and the rest of the Boks are likely to be promoted from the bench to the starting lineup.
“Ulster are second on the log and possess a formidable pack,” added Kolisi. “We face a formidable obstacle up front, particularly in the contact zone.
“However, we have faith in ourselves, we have excellent players, and we have each other’s backs as we go all out against Ulster.”
On Saturday, there will be no place to hide, and we must all work hard and stand up for one another.