Werner Kok previews Sharks' clash against Scarlets

The Cell C Sharks' Werner Kok admitted from the team's base in Wales that with a Springbok laden team available this weekend, the vibe and motivation is high.

"It's always a big lift to have them back, they bring a different intensity at training, a different quality of precision and that helps a lot, it boosts everyone in the team," said the former Sevens star.

"Even the vibe and excitement in training last week, and then going into this weekend has been amazing. The confidence they instil in the rest of the team makes a huge impact."

Given the depth in the side, there are times when the Boks are unavailable and then the wider squad comes into play. This has been a feature this season in particular, given just how many Springboks the Cell C Sharks have in their ranks.

"While we do have a lot of international players, it's what happens on the field and how training has gone, because it doesn't make any difference the team you have on paper, if the players don't gel on the field, then things don't work.

"But we've had great training sessions and we've had a good week ahead of the game, now it™s a case of performing and getting those points."

Coming off the back of a short bye, Kok admitted that the team has enjoyed the rest, "It's been good for the bodies, we're approaching the business end of the URC and the Heineken Champions Cup and it's been a long season and every is now feeling rested and it™s now to make the step up and go for gold."

With the final jostling for positions in the top eight, he explained they will be aiming for a full house of points.

"This is a very important weekend for us and we™re aiming for a five-pointer, we must get a bonus point win. We know we need 15 points out of the final three games if we want a home semi, so this is a big game for us and possibly our most important as we head towards the play-offs.

"We are seventh on the log and with two other South African teams in the top eight, we can't finish any lower than seventh of we want to make the play-offs."

While Scarlets haven't done as well as they would like this season, he admitted that they would not be taking anything or anyone for granted in this game.

"You can never underestimate any team, and although they haven't achieved what other Welsh teams have, we know that their players are very physical, they can play proper rugby and Scarlets will be getting a few of their internationals back, so it's going to be a big test for us.

"We know we need to be on top of our game from minute one to minute 80 or 85, or whenever the game ends."