Sharks coach Robert du Preez did not pull any punches when assessing his side's performance in their loss to the Bulls in Durban on Friday.
Although they have all but sewn up a place in the Super Rugby play-offs, this penultimate pool derby clash offered the opportunity of fighting for seventh place on the table and with that, potentially a quarter-final meeting with the Lions in Johannesburg, rather than the trip halfway around the world to meet the Crusaders in Christchurch.
With one round of the pool matches remaining, the top-placed Crusaders will play the second-placed Hurricanes in Wellington, while the Lions visit Kings Park next weekend, looking to top the overall standings (should the Crusaders drop their game against the Hurricanes).
Asked about his overall thoughts of the Sharks match against the Bulls, Du Preez said: “I definitely think that the intensity wasn’t there, that was very disappointing. We looked really disjointed.”
Without some of the regulars, missing after the June Tests as well as injury concerns, Du Preez could not field a full strength side, but refused to lay total blame for the loss on that.
“The injuries during the week had a role to play, but the attitude was certainly not there,” he added.
"It was the same in the case of having a four week break from Super Rugby action; he advised that it was the same for the Bulls.
“With regards to the missing Boks, he said, “I don’t think that played a role. The players who replaced the Boks have lots of experience, so that’s no excuse.”
He also identified defence as an area that didn’t function to capacity.
“The tries we conceded were soft, turnover tries or we didn’t exit from our own 22. So unfortunately at this level, if you make so many mistakes, you won’t win games," he added.
“We just couldn’t adapt on the evening. There was a lack of composure.”
With Garth April selected at fly-half and Curwin Bosch at full-back, Du Preez was asked if things might have been different had the jerseys been swapped around.
“I don’t think that would have changed anything,” he said.
“I thought Garth played well, especially in the first half. I think he took the ball to the line well, but he was sort of the lone ranger.”
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