Craig Burden may be in the infancy of his transformation from wing to hooker, but the 24-year-old Sharks forward is keen to make a significant contribution as the men from Durban chase back-to-back Currie Cup titles.

Speaking to us ahead of the Currie Cup semifinal showdown with the Free State Cheetahs in Durban on Saturday, Burden said home ground advantage will come into play.

However, it is more important that they all "rock up".

"It is great that we are at home in the play-offs," Burden said, adding: "The Sharks have had a good season up till now [12 wins in 14 starts] and having the Boks back is definitely strengthening the side.

"Being at home is also a bit of an advantage for us, but it is all about rocking up and performing on the day," Burden told this website.

He was quick to point out that victory is never a given against the Cheetahs, whom he described as a very good side.

"They have also had a good run and they have a lot of momentum with six wins in a row," Burden said.

"From here [in the play-offs] it is all about the side that arrives and is switched on, on the day."

Although there were some teething problems when the all-conquering Springboks first returned from international duty, Burden feels they have been fully integrated now.

Players like Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski, John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis are set to play a big role in the play-offs.

"Maybe the first game [when they returned] against the Leopards [a 34-20 win] took a bit of time for the guys to settle and fit in with the structures.

"However, a guy like John [Smit, the Bok captain] has had a couple of games now to settle in.

"I think the Boks are doing a great job since they have come back and the guys have really fitted in well into the side and are good to go."

From wing to hooker

Burden said he was happy with his progress as he continues his conversion from a nippy wing to a burly hooker.

Burden was rated one of the most impressive wings in the Currie Cup in 2006, but on the insistence of then Sharks coach Dick Muir (now Bok assistant coach) he attended the Murray Mexted Academy in New Zealand and the Maritzburg College old boy has been making great strides as a front row forward since.

"I'm very happy with the way things are going," he told us, when quizzed about the dramatic decision to change from and outside back to a tight forward.

"I'm especially happy with the game time I'm getting," said the man, who is fifth on the Currie Cup try-scoring list for 2009 - trailing Cheetahs wing Jongi Nokwe (leading with 12 tries), Bulls wing Gerhard van den Heever (11), Western Province No.8 Luke Watson (11) and Griquas centre Barry Geel (10).

"Playing is still the best way to learn and develop as a player - that definitely helps the transition from wing to hooker.

"Also, having the Boks back, you learn a lot from guys like that, having their presence at practice and in the games as well."

Although there has been some criticism of his basics - line-out throwing and scrumming - Burden is happy that he is making steady progress in all the right departments.

"The basic are important," he said, adding: "As far as throwing [into line-outs] is concerned, it is about practice, learning to read your opponents and how they are going to contest.

"Those kind of skills build up as you get more game time.

"Having guys like Johann Muller and Albert [van den Berg], those guys help you to develop yourself and be able to read the game.

"I know I have a long way to go, but I am happy with the way things are going at the moment."