2017-05-10 08:57

Durban – Sharks wing Kobus Van Wyk says his side have learnt from their mistakes ahead of their Super Rugby clash with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

When the teams clashed in Durban earlier in the season, the Sharks were lucky to escape with a 19-17 victory thanks to some last-gasp Curwin Bosch heroics.

That was not the only below-par performance in what has been a season dogged by inconsistency from the Sharks. They were awful in a 9-9 draw with Super Rugby’s whipping boys the Rebels three weeks ago for which they were heavily criticised by coach Robert Du Preez.

That seemed to be the wake-up call the men from Durban needed as they responded with convincing wins over the Jaguares (33-25, Buenos Aires) and Force (37-12, Durban).

The Kings are coming off a 44-3 demolition of the Rebels and a bye round last weekend leaving them with fresh legs and belief but Van Wyk believes the Sharks are ready to deal with anything the ever-improving Kings throw at them.

“The boys did build some momentum when we played against the Jaguares‚ from where we added to that momentum with our decent showing against the Force‚” Van Wyk told the TimesLIVE website.

“We know we need to be carrying on with that. The last time we played against the Kings‚ we’d have the ball for three phases then we’d lose it. From that resultant turnover‚ they’d score easy tries so we know we have to look after the ball and stick to our structures. I think from there we’ll win the game.”

Saturday’s clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled for 17:15.