The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into their Investec Champions Cup clash with Clermont at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon knowing that the outcome of their final pool match holds the key to their progression in the tournament.
Clermont are winless to date, having lost all three of their Cup commitments, and for Hollywoodbets Sharks prop Ox Nche, this match is something of a knock-out for his team, who know the importance riding on the result.
Despite the two away losses, the permutations are varied, and the closure of the pool stages still offers much for the team who are still in with a chance of making the play-offs.
“The aim is to get maximum points this week, as well as to improve our points-difference as much as possible,” Nche explains.
“We’re going all-in, we see this as a play-off match.”
Given the team’s mixed fortunes, he accepts that everything isn’t clicking as the potential in the team offers.
“The general trend has been to play well and create lots of opportunities, but the problem has been skillset: a knock-on just before scoring a try, or a turnover when the guys react a bit late. So it’s the small things really.
“But we are creating opportunities, we are playing well for parts of the game, we just have to stay focused for the entire 80.
“We can see what we need to do and what we need to work on.”
Analysing what Clermont brings, he accedes that they are your typical French side.
“They have a big pack with good loose forwards, they play a very expansive game, and while their set-piece is really good, they enjoy the offload game. They’ve been consistent in the way they’ve been playing, so it’s going to be a good challenge.
“As the forwards, we have to perform so our backs can shine.”
Finishing the pool stages on a high is the ambition, and much of the mental state of the players is being harnessed under interim head coach JP Pietersen.
“A lot of it is about our mental state; the guys have ability, some amazing ability, it’s about the change in mindset that coach JP is really working on.
“Where guys have to start believing in themselves and their abilities, do the extras they need to put in and work hard for their teammates.”
The season has been one of ups and downs, a big part of that being the enforced inconsistency in team selection through Springbok call-ups, player welfare and injuries, but Nche feels the team is close to being at their best and fulfilling the potential in the squad.
“There were a few moments in last week’s game that changed the outcome, but we were competitive, and I don’t think we’re far off. We have guys with great ability, we just have to change the mindset and start believing in that ability.”