Sharks captain Stefan Terblanche is hoping that the Lions do the Sharks a big favour by beating Western Province or at least restrict them to just four log points, when they clash in Johannesburg next weekend.

The Sharks eliminated the Lions from this season’s Currie Cup semifinal race by defeating their opponents 19-17 in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks go into the final week knowing that a five pointer against Griquas, of a similar margin to the Blue Bulls' 61-27 defeat of the Kimberley side on Saturday, could mean the difference between first and second place on the log.

However, Saturday’s win guarantees the Sharks home ground status in the semifinals, the third-placed Blue Bulls unable to catch them regardless of the final weekend’s results.

"We have Griquas next week and it is always tough in Kimberley, but Province have to play the Lions next week, and that will be tough. Hopefully the Lions can come to the party," Terblanche said.

The Johannesburg side though kept the hosts at bay and did not allow the Sharks a bonus-point victory, thus relegating them to second place on the log standings.

The defending champions made numerous handling errors at crucial periods in the match in their search for scoring four tries. As a result, the hosts only managed to run in one try which was scored by Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis. Bok utility back Ruaan Pienaar kicked the conversion and also slotted three penalties while Argentinean pivot, Juan Hernandez kicked a drop goal.

Terblanche admitted the Sharks struggled to overcome the Lions.

"It was a very tough game; you have to hand it to the Lions who came here for a game of rugby and we wish them all the best for the last game," Terblanche said.

"Although we wanted a bonus point win, first you have to win the  game, and credit to the Lions who played as if their lives depended on it.

"From this game, we know we can work on our lineouts, set pieces  and our work at the breakdowns; they turned us over on the ground a  few times.

While the Lions' slim playoff hopes were crushed at the weekend, captain Cobus Grobbelaar suggested that the Cape side shouldn't expect a walkover in Jo'burg next week.

"The Lions still have a lot to offer. We have one game left and we'll take it from there," Grobbelaar said

"We need to start producing. We showed glimpses of it but we will have to build on it."

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