Even with a couple of extra Springboks, in wing Odwa Ndungane and No.8 Ryan Kankowski, available for selection, the Sharks remain wary of the Golden Lions, ahead of their Currie Cup Round Six match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Sharks, following their opening round loss to Western Province (15-29), have beaten Boland (46-10), the Blue bulls (19-13), the Free State Cheetahs (21-12) and Leopards (44-15) in the past month.

The Lions have been very erratic - losing to the Bulls (13-19), beat the Cheetahs (31-22), beat the Leopards (40-19), lost to Griquas (19-23) and beat Boland (19-13).

Despite still missing another eight Springboks - some on national duty and some injured - would be regarded as favourites when they tackle the Lions on Saturday.

However, the Sharks' technical advisor Deon Kayser, felt the Lions pose a much bigger threat than some would like to believe.

"They have some quality players," Kayser said in an interview on the Sharks website.

"Guys like Jano Vermaak and Willem Alberts, who is a big, strong ball-carrier are those quality players.

"We're still studying them, which is a bit difficult because they keep making big selection changes each week.

"But we can't underestimate them, they're a Super 14 franchise and it's away from home for us.

"It's never easy against one of the bigger unions and Jake White has a hand in there as well. With their backs against the wall and with his influence, I'm sure they will be much more structured in their play."

With The Sharks now second on the log, they are handily-placed at this stage of the tournament and looking to kick on as the league stages approach the halfway mark.

"Since that first game against Western Province, we've improved and progressed each week. People didn't expect us to win against Free State away, so that gives plenty of confidence to the team."

Ndungane and Kankowski, despite having been called up for the Springbok touring squad for the away leg of the Tri-Nations, could feature this weekend.

Kayser confirmed that Ndungane had recovered from the injury that kept him out of last week's match against the Leopards.

"Odwa is over his hamstring strain and ready for selection."

Unfortunately Argentinean import Juan Hernandez may not be making the trip to Johannesburg, after going over on his ankle in the first few minutes of the game against the Leopards.

He soldiered on but was replaced by Guy Cronje in the second half.

"Juan played very well," admitted Kayser. "He showed glimpses of what he is capable of until he was injured so hopefully he'll be back soon. We want to give him time to recover, but hopefully he will be part of this weekend's game.

"Guy also played well, he's a quality player, he takes the ball into the line nicely. We have good depth at flyhalf."

Rory Kockott is still battling with the shoulder injury that kept him out of last week's match "and we will make call later in the week, hopeful he'll be okay for the weekend, but that's not assured".

He also confirmed that Deon Carstens should be back and available for selection.