The Sharks will take confidence from their performances against New Zealand teams leading up to their Super Rugby quarter-final match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday morning.
The South African team recorded wins over the Chiefs, Highlanders and Blues in the Super Rugby regular season, added to a late, one-point loss to the Hurricanes in Napier, which coach Robert du Preez described as the closest the Durban side got to their full capability.
"That was a game in which we came closest to our potential, although we didn't win the match," he told sharksrugby.co.za.
The Sharks did not play against the Crusaders in the regular season, but they're not unknown to them. The Sharks are aware of the massive challenge as well as the opportunity that lies ahead.
"The Crusaders are top of the log, a great side, but this is a massive opportunity, a huge challenge and we're going there to beat them; otherwise we might as well stay at home," said Du Preez.
"They keep the ball through multiple phases and have some very good individual players, that's their biggest threat -- they keep the ball when they have it," he added.
Despite this opportunity for the Sharks, the season hasn't gone entirely to plan as captain Ruan Botha admitted to sharksrugby.co.za.
"This wasn't the route we wanted to take; if we could turn back time, there were a lot of games we could have won and that would have made it an easier path. But whatever comes our way now, we're prepared for it, we just need to stick to our guns and do the job."
Despite a change in location and opposition, the Sharks will not attempt to deviate too much from their win over the Jaguares in Durban, which secured them their quarter-final place.
"We won't be changing much at all. Ultimately, it's about taking your opportunities and against the Crusaders, you have to do your basics very well and hold on to the ball. If they get their hands on the ball, they retain possession through multiple phases and we need to prevent that."
The Crusaders will host the Sharks in Christchurch at 09:35 (CAT) on Saturday.