Sharks director of rugby Jake White has no doubts that his team can beat the Crusaders in their Super Rugby semifinal clash in Christchurch on July 26. Two months ago the Sharks recorded their first ever Super Rugby win when with 14 men they beat the Crusaders 30-25. However, White does not believe that history will play a part in what happens on Saturday but said that he believes that he has the players in his team to beat the Crusaders……

White was in a similar position last year as head coach of the Brumbies when they defied history by becoming the first team in Super Rugby to beat the Bulls in a Super Rugby semi-final on South African soil. White says the experience of playing and winning knockout rugby will be valuable this week for himself and the team……..

There will be calls this week for White to start with Springbok Pat Lambie at flyhalf but White says he will only make a final decision on his team later this week. White believes that he finds himself in a position of strength with a handful of options in his team selection……

Highlanders coach and former All Black Jamie Joseph believes that the Sharks will have a difficult task in beating the Crusaders in Christchurch after flying across the Indian Ocean ahead of the semi-final. Joseph, however, believes that the semi-finals have the making of a great game with both teams being strong at the set-pieces……

With the Super Rugby competition expected to expand from the current 15 team format to 18 teams in 2016, Joseph is not bothered too much about the prospect of an additional franchise from South Africa and a possible two more franchises from Asia. Joseph, who played and coached in Japan, believes that everyone should adapt to the competition and that their primary concern should be their franchises……Journalist: Vata Ngobeni