Western Province coach Allister Coetzee was pleased with his pack's display against the Lions at the weekend and he admits that the tight five's longstanding 'softies' tag has given them an unlikely advantage in this year's Currie Cup.

The Province tight five will get another chance to dispel their infamous 'light-five' label when they face the Sharks in a top-of-the-table clash in Durban on Saturday.

The former Springbok assistant coach was impressed with the forward showing as the home team dominated the scrums and the line-outs during their 25-20 win over the Lions.

"We scrummed very well. Even when we were one man down, they couldn't move us," Coetzee said in an interview on the Western Province Rugby website.

"Our lineout also put them under a lot of pressure."

The Province tight five has for long been labelled as the soft underbelly of the Cape side but with players such as locks Chris Jack, Anton Van Zyl and hooker Tiaan Liebenberg spearheading their onslaught, they have emerged as one of the most dominant front five's in the competition.

It was in the corresponding fixture in the first half of the tournament where the Province tight five announced it's arrival as a formidable force.

"I think we have to thank the media for the favour they've done us," Coetzee said.

"Calling us softies has helped, because some teams have underestimated us. The truth is our tight five are looking very strong."

The Sharks win over Griquas ensured that the defending champions reached the halfway stage of the competition three points clear of their nearest rivals - Western Province, who are currently in second place on 24 points. Griquas and the Blue Bulls are also on 24 points after seven fixtures.

Coetzee says it was a pity his side could not score the fourth try and claim a bonus point against the Lions.

"As a group we felt disappointed that we didn't get the bonus point, but four points are good enough going into the second round."

Meanwhile, Sharks coach John Plumtree stressed that their loss to Province in the early in the stages of the tournament was a timely wake-up call and they are relishing the opportunity "to get one over them" this week.

"I think after our first game defeat to Western Province in the competition, the guys have really worked well together as a team and have quickly built up some useful rhythm which will hopefully count in increase as the Currie Cup continues,? said Plumtree.

"But we happy with where we are at the moment and what we've achieved thus far. There's not going to be too many easy games in this competition and I still believe any side can almost beat the other.

"After going down to Western Province in our first game at Newlands, we now have the chance to get one over them in Durban in our next game."