The Sharks captain, Lukhanyo Am, has called on his players to tune in mentally for Saturday’s big EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Clermont in London.

The Sharks have a home semi-final, but it will be played at the home ground of Harlequins rugby, the Twickenham Stoop.

The French Top14 side will be the Sharks biggest challenge to date and they will be tested thoroughly in all aspects of the game.

The Springbok centre, Am, said their home work has been done and they are ready.

“From my side it's just to do my homework to know what is coming and knowing their strengths and weaknesses that I can find,” said Am.

“At the end of the day it's going into the semis with the correct mindset. For it's individual it's about making sure that he pitches on the field with the right mindset.”

The Sharks coach, John Plumtree, in turn said that it’s up to each play to do their respective jobs to the best of their ability and without putting too much pressure on themselves.

“All I've asked the players to do is win the week - what that looks like is nailing their preparation, nailing what their roles are and nailing what they need to nail to give themselves the best opportunity to win as a team.

“We're know we're playing against a tough side and we know we're going to have to play very well to beat them. If we do that, great, we'll move on to the next stage.

“If we don't, the next challenge will be next week in Durban.

“I don't put extra pressure on the players saying it's a must-win game - that's not what it's all about, they've got enough pressure on them without adding another layer.”

Saturday’s semi-final in London kicks off at 13:30.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché.

Replacements - 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Jeandré Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter.

Clermont - 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Julien Heriteau, 12 George Moala, 11 Joris Jurand, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Baptiste Jauneau, 8 Fritz Lee (captain), 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Marcos Kremer, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Etienne Fourcade, 1 Giorgi Beria.

Replacements - 16 Yohan Beheregaray, 17 Giorgi Dzmanashvili, 18 Cristian Ojovan, 19 Thibault Lanen, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 22 Theo Giral, 23 Léon Darricarrere.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport