Sharks seek to reinforce benefits of Aussie raid
Pacesetters can preserve hard-won lead with victory against Stormers in South African derby
The Coastal Sharks will look to tighten their grip as Super Rugby pacesetters in this weekend's South African derby against the Western Stormers.
Jake White's Durban-based team head into their final three games leading by five points and on a high after their successful Australasian tour as they chase their first Super Rugby title.
The Sharks won three of their four tour games, including a first-ever win over seven-time champions the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch, and are aiming to finish top and with it gain home advantage all the way through the play-offs.
We got a lot of confidence from the tour where we were the first South African side to win overseas this season
Super Rugby goes into a three-week international break after this weekend and the Sharks are five points clear of the NSW Waratahs, although the Sydney-based outfit have a game in hand.
The pressure will be on the Waratahs to beat back-to-back champions the Waikato Chiefs in New Zealand to keep in touch with the Sharks.
"We got a lot of confidence from the tour where we were the first South African side to win overseas this season," Sharks centre Paul Jordaan said.
"The Crusaders win helped us grow a lot as a team and we definitely need to build on that, but the match against the Stormers will be a tough game.