Battle of the packs in Cup final
The Golden Lions will have to win the battle up front against the Sharks in Saturday's Currie Cup final at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg if they want bring their 12-year trophy drought to an end.
The hosts, however, do not have a good history at their home ground, having last won a Currie Cup final on home soil in 1950 when they beat Western Province 22-11.
The Sharks will be in search of back-to-back titles but their coach, John Plumtree, knows full well that it will be a tough task away from home.
"I don't think the trophy has been won away from home for quite a number of years now," said Plumtree.
"So to win the Currie Cup away from home is a real challenge.
"It's their home ground and they've been the form side for the whole Currie Cup.
"It will be a tough match for us, but we're certainly looking forward to it."
The Sharks have been one of the most successful teams in the Currie Cup in recent seasons, winning the top-tier provincial competition twice in the last three years.
Plumtree's opposite number and fellow New Zealander, John Mitchell, has turned the Lions around since he took the reins ahead the 2010 domestic competition.
Mitchell believes his charges have grown in character over the last two years and learnt how to overcome adversity.
"We've been through a lot of lessons in our early stages as a group and it held us at good strength to move forward," Mitchell said.
"The group matured a lot. I think there is greater coherency among the team."
While Mitchell preaches team work ahead of individualism, there will be some battles within Saturday's war.
The key clash will be fought among the forwards where the Lions will have an uphill battle in containing their more esteemed opponents.
The Sharks forwards pack is brimming with Springboks, including Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Tendai Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis.
Mitchell's pride, however, have played together the whole season, which could ultimately make the difference come Saturday.
At flyhalf, 21-year-old Lions pivot Elton Jantjies will square up against the Sharks' Frederic Michalak.
Jantjies has grown in leaps and bounds this season and his inexperience, compared to that of French international Michalak, will be tested.
"Elton had a really good season but he would be the first to admit that the result of his performances has come from the rest of his teammates and their hard work, and it will be no different over the weekend," Mitchell said.
While many pundits have hanged the favourites tag around the Sharks' necks, Plumtree said he thought the Lions' unity would swing the match in their favour.
"This year we've had a lot of challenges and he [Mitchell] hasn't had those challenges," Plumtree said.
"So we've arrived at this point, but the challenge for us is that we've got to gel as a team right from the first whistle.
"It's something we've talked about because they've already got that in place."