Like the Crusaders last year, the Sharks have been forced to traipse back and forth across the globe in their quest to win the 2012 Super XV, having travel from Africa to Brisbane for their quarter-final, back to Newlands for a semi-final clash against the top qualifying Stormers, and then to New Zealand for the final in Hamilton.
Like the 2011 Crusaders they are the competition’s form side, but will be hoping to go one better than the Red and Blacks, who famously ran out of steam at the final hurdle, turning in a tired performance against the Genia/Cooper inspired Reds as the Queenslanders netted their first Super Rugby title.
In contrast to the Sharks, who have gathered momentum over the final weeks of the competition, the Chiefs have looked shaky, and were it not for moments of individual brilliance from some of their marquee players they may well have missed the final.
But a passionate crowd at Rugby Park, Hamilton, is assured, and no matter how hot their form might be, the brave South Africans will have a huge task ahead of them if they are to lift the title in the heart of enemy territory.