Curwin Bosch previews Sharks' crucial clash against the Lions

The Durban franchise find themselves amidst a log jam in the URC table, with just five points separating seventh-place Benetton (on 34 points) and 12th-place Ospreys. While the Sharks (33 points) have a game in hand, their eighth place on the table - the final playoff spot - is precarious at best.

This, coupled with a lackluster performance against the indomitable Stormers two weeks ago, has given the Shraks' trip up north to Ellis Park new meaning.

"It is really important that we start well at Ellis Park," Bosch told rugby365.com.

"We haven't approached this any different to any other game, we are sticking to our process and want to get on the park and perform well.

"Training has gone really well and guys are keen to rectify things this weekend and apply all the learnings from the defeat to the Stormers.

"We know the Lions is a team that always tries to play a little bit of expansive rugby. They are a very good set-piece-based team, scrum is strong, so we have done a little prep on them.

"But our focus is just to try and execute our plan and if we can do that, we will be okay."

Bosch also opened up on a personal battle set to play out on the highveld as he runs out against friend and former Sharks player Marisu Louw, who has recently taken over the captaincy for the Lions.

"It is very strange seeing him [Louw] in a different jersey," admitted Bosch.

"We started our careers together here at the Sharks. Marius is a flippen great player. He is tough, he is hard and you know you going to get a lot of work rate and physicality from him.

"We must really try to stop and minimise his impact and take his space away."

The Sharks take on the Lions at Ellis Park at 1500 on Saturday, followed by another South African derby at Loftus Versveld where the Bulls face the Stormers at 1700.