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Sharks coach slams players after WP loss

Durban - Sharks coach Robert du Preez was not pleased with his side's performance in their 31-20 loss to Western Province in Durban on Saturday. 

While the result meant nothing for the Sharks, who still finished top of the Currie Cup log to secure home ground advantage for the rest of the competition, Du Preez was clearly not happy with the lack of intensity he saw from his charges. 

The Sharks had taken a 13-3 lead into half-time but then fell apart in the second half as WP scored 28 unanswered points to take control of the match.

"Although we were up on the scoreboard, we were just going through the motions," Du Preez said of his side's first half showing.

"That obviously resulted in going into the second half and thinking we could still go through the motions and then they started playing proper rugby and put us under a lot of pressure.

"We have no excuses. You can't take any game for granted and just think that you can pitch up and go through the motions ... that's the bottom line.

"Credit to Western Province ... in the end they were just a lot hungrier for this win."

Du Preez said it was important not to dwell on this result, but to get up for Saturday's semi-final against the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday.

"We've put in a lot of hard work. This team has worked incredibly hard and we're just going to have to regroup on Monday. This is a game that we need to forget and move on quickly. We've got a semi-final to win," Du Preez said.

"Quality sides, when they're 13-3 up at half-time, they put other teams away."

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