Cape Town - Sharks coach John Plumtree wants an improved defensive effort from his players when they tackle the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks conceded 41 points in going down to the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last week, and despite scoring 31 themselves - including four tries for a bonus point - the coach is expecting better from his players.

"We just weren’t good enough defensively on the weekend,” he told the Sharks website. “We’re looking for a major improvement in our ball-handling and also our defence."

“We were largely happy with attack though,” Plumtree admitted.

“We created some space but we weren’t accurate enough to convert so it’s making sure that when we do get our motion and rhythm going in our attack, that we are good enough to finish off. It was just little things letting us down in that match.”

The Durbanites picked up no injuries in the Bulls clash and medical staff will later make a decision on Meyer Bosman who was injured the week before and the only player not yet confirmed ready for the Cheetahs game.

The Free Staters are coming off two solid wins (over the Bulls and Griquas) and Plumtree believes it makes for an intriguing contest at Kings Park this weekend.

“Although the Cheetahs started off with a loss, they have had a couple of wins now and they’re looking pretty confident," he said.

"I don’t think there is a lot between the two teams. It will come down to the side that wants it more on the weekend.”

Their clash against the Cheetahs kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.