Christo Buchner
Johannesburg - "No matter how much we love the women in our lives, we are delighted not to be at home this week."
Sharks captain and centre Stefan Terblanche says that he and his players don't want to be anywhere else than New Zealand this week in an effort to stop the Crusaders' march to the Super Rugby title.
"The match against the Bulls could easily have been our last and then we would have been on holiday this week," said Terblanche, who was one of the best players in the 26-23 win over the Bulls.
"Even if we'd like to spend time with our wives and children, we are very happy that we are still involved in rugby this week and are still "breathing" in the Super Rugby tournament."
He said the Test atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld had contributed to getting the best out of the players.
"There was an incredible atmosphere and it was a wonderful place at which to play such an important game. There are people who believe that rugby is losing its lustre, but anyone who was at Loftus will tell you the opposite.
"It was a great advertisement for the game and a privilege to be able to play in such as game. Both teams turned it into a showpiece. To be able to have won at a packed Loftus is something I will always remember," added Terblanche, who scored the first of the Sharks' two tries.
"Nobody could doubt our commitment to winning the game. We knew that we would have to fight fire with fire, and possibly have to do even more than that.
"Every player was willing to put his body on the line from the outset. We have now set a high standard and showed that it can be done. We will need more of that against the Crusaders on Saturday."
Patrick Lambie, who produced a man-of-the-match performance at fullback, was also impressed with the special atmosphere - even if a laser was being shone into his eyes when he kicked for goal.
"I'm not blaming it for the (three) kicks that I missed, but I have to say that I was aware of it and that it bothered me," he said.
His performance at fullback was so good that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers could now consider him for South Africa's No 15 jersey.
Johannesburg - "No matter how much we love the women in our lives, we are delighted not to be at home this week."
Sharks captain and centre Stefan Terblanche says that he and his players don't want to be anywhere else than New Zealand this week in an effort to stop the Crusaders' march to the Super Rugby title.
"The match against the Bulls could easily have been our last and then we would have been on holiday this week," said Terblanche, who was one of the best players in the 26-23 win over the Bulls.
"Even if we'd like to spend time with our wives and children, we are very happy that we are still involved in rugby this week and are still "breathing" in the Super Rugby tournament."
He said the Test atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld had contributed to getting the best out of the players.
"There was an incredible atmosphere and it was a wonderful place at which to play such an important game. There are people who believe that rugby is losing its lustre, but anyone who was at Loftus will tell you the opposite.
"It was a great advertisement for the game and a privilege to be able to play in such as game. Both teams turned it into a showpiece. To be able to have won at a packed Loftus is something I will always remember," added Terblanche, who scored the first of the Sharks' two tries.
"Nobody could doubt our commitment to winning the game. We knew that we would have to fight fire with fire, and possibly have to do even more than that.
"Every player was willing to put his body on the line from the outset. We have now set a high standard and showed that it can be done. We will need more of that against the Crusaders on Saturday."
Patrick Lambie, who produced a man-of-the-match performance at fullback, was also impressed with the special atmosphere - even if a laser was being shone into his eyes when he kicked for goal.
"I'm not blaming it for the (three) kicks that I missed, but I have to say that I was aware of it and that it bothered me," he said.
His performance at fullback was so good that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers could now consider him for South Africa's No 15 jersey.