The Sharks started badly last year but it was the 50 points they shipped to a Crusaders team that was down to 12 men at one stage that really sent them on a downward spiral, and Saturday's clash at Kings Park has long been marked down as a significant one by a Durban team determined to wipe out the bad memory.
After a great and unexpected away win against the DHL Stormers, who have subsequently gone on to beat the tournament’s best team so far, the Brumbies, the Sharks were disappointed with their draw against the Vodacom Bulls this past weekend.
Apart from the missed opportunities, including the Joe Pietersen sitter penalty at the end, there was also a listless and lethargic start in Pretoria that allowed the Bulls to get an early advantage.
Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold was in an apoplectic mood when he arrived back in Durban at the weekend.
“You can’t blame the defeat just on Joe for that last kick. He nailed some beauties earlier in the match and if he’d missed those, that final penalty kick would have been irrelevant,” said Gold.
