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Sharks braced for battering

Durban - Sharks coach John Plumtree is expecting a much more physical battle in their remaining Super Rugby games, starting with the clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Durban franchise took a significant step towards the play-offs over the weekend when they ousted the Waratahs 26-21 at Kings Park, a result that now leaves their destiny in their own hands.

But the coach believes the physicality this week could be "25 per cent more" than in their last game as they play the first of three matches on the road.

"It definitely goes up, that there is no doubt about," said Plumtree.

"I think the game against the Cheetahs at the weekend is probably going to be 25 percent more physical than the game we just played."

Plumtree, though, conceded he disliked the new tournament format.

"I'm not a big fan of the structure of the competition in terms of the double round of derby games, I don't think it’s very good," he said.

"I think, probably playing everyone once would have been better, but we're in a situation where we have to do it.

"I think with the number of injuries there have been in this competition over the last six weeks just shows you how tough this tournament is."

The Sharks themselves have not managed entirely to dodge the injury bullet with Conrad Hoffman the latest to join the list.

The scrum-half hurt his elbow over the weekend and is ruled out for up to three months.

Adrian Jacobs (ankle) is still an injury doubt and faces a late fitness test, Odwa Ndungane (hand) has at least two more weeks before he could return while Jean Deysel is suspended.

Ryan Kankowski, however, is available again and Plumtree was just pleased that the ball was now in their court in terms of a top six finish.

"We've got three weeks of rugby left before play-offs and we want to be in those play-offs," said the coach.

"So now it's just a case of managing the group, keeping them as fresh as possible, managing those injuries and having a little bit of luck along the way."

Plumtree said the morale in camp was more positive after the win on the weekend.

"We sort of know what we need to get into a play-off situation and that's been made clear to the group," he said.

"I think if we can get two wins out of the three, then we'll be pretty close."

He admitted that most sides would now also be upping the intensity as the competition reached crunch time.

"You've seen the best teams in the competition get excited about the play-offs coming up," said Plumtree.

"Teams like the Reds and the Bulls have begun to up the tempo, so we need to climb the ladder as well.

"Who knows what happens from here, but what we do know is that we can control how we play as a group."

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