Durban - Despite their heavy Currie Cup final defeat to the Golden Lions, Sharks captain Keegan Daniel is nevertheless proud of his team for getting so far in the tournament under testing circumstances.

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“Considering the number of players that we had out for the Rugby World Cup, I am very proud of how the guys got us to the final. But having got there, we did not play well enough, and I said to the guys in the change room that we have to remember what it feels like to have come so near to winning it after coming so far,” Daniel told Sharks website editor, Michael Marnewick.

Daniel paid tribute to the home side who had a massive crowd backing them, urging them on to their first home victory in the Currie Cup since 1950.

“The Lions were, without doubt, the best team on the park and worthy winners of the Currie Cup - we just have to take it on the chin.

“We're disappointed we didn't convert opportunities into points in the first half when we had territory and possession, but you can't win finals with the ill-discipline we showed. Getting to a final is one thing, but you need to produce a great game, which we couldn't do. The Lions were phenomenal," said Daniel.

It has been a tough season for the Sharks. They were the second-most travelled side in the Super Rugby tournament - after losing finalists the Crusaders - and player depth was tested severely during the Currie Cup campaign with at least 15 first choice players out at various times as well as long term injuries to a number of squad members.

“There is certainly some wear and tear after a lot of games this year,” coach John Plumtree explained. “I can’t recall the first practice of the year but I can certainly recall the last one. Keegan played nearly all of those games and in the Currie Cup has been outstanding in leading young players. He deserved better than what happened in the final.”