Werner Kok: Sharks surfing changing tide

Werner Kok is confident that the Sharks are on the precipice of a change in fortunes as the South African side returns to Challenge Cup action this weekend.

The Sharks’ first go at the EPCR Challenge Cup sees John Plumtree’s side in second place in Pool 1, after a thrashing of French side Pau in Durban was followed by a defeat in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs, which started a run of three narrow defeats.

The Sharks have won just twice in all competitions this season and currently sit bottom of the Vodacom URC.

However, wing Kok insisted that the Sharks have put their early-season woes behind them and are ready to turn things around.

“We are actually in a good space,” Kok explained. “It is disappointing and the guys were hurting quite a bit. It has been a tough few weeks.

“But as professional players we have to switch off and start over again. We had a great Monday, we took a bit of a break from rugby and went to the beach. We started the week really well on Tuesday.

“The guys are in a good space. They are ready for the weekend. I think we are in the moment when the tide is going to turn.

“The culture is the best that it has been since I got here in 2020,” Kok added. “We started all over in pre-season, everything was put in place.

“It is going to take some time. There are some growing pains that we are going to have to get used to. But, for me, culture-wise, it’s the best that we’ve had. Everyone has linked together and we are getting closer as a family and a brotherhood.

“The vibe is in a very good place. We just have to start turning the tide and building that winning culture.”

The Sharks will look to bounce back into form tomorrow when they host French side Oyonnax, in what Kok predicted would be a loose and open game.

“I don’t think your mindset should change from one competition to the next,” Kok explained. “At the moment because we are struggling with points and rankings in the URC, the EPCR gives us a proper opportunity to get into a proper position to play in the play-offs. This is a competition we can really go for.

“We are still not out of the URC, either. If we win all the games with a bonus point, we can get there again. It’s just for us to find that connection and make sure that we get into a winning culture. It is taking some time, but the EPCR gives us a better opportunity to make it a properly successful year.”