Mongalo's Sharks worked into Currie Cup semi-final shape after 'highly stressful' Lions win

Sharks head coach Joey Mongalo says his team won’t get a better work out ahead of the Currie Cup semi-final in a fortnight after their come-from-behind win over the Lions at Kings Park on Saturday night.

The Sharks clawed back from a 14-0 first half deficit to square the scoreboard at the break before grabbing the lead in the second half through prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, only to lose it again when Sanele Nohamba struck against his former side.

With the score precariously placed at 21-21 each in the second half, Mchunu dotted down again for his second try of the match before Nevaldo Fleurs’ late penalty sealed a 29-21 Sharks victory.

READ | Cheetahs, Sharks secure Currie Cup home semi-finals

With it, the Sharks reclaimed the top Currie Cup log spot from the Cheetahs, who briefly led the standings after beating the Pumas earlier, and secured a home semi-final with one league round remaining.

"Highly stressful," said Mongalo after the match.

"We said before the game how the Lions have been together for a long time, they’ve got a good coaching staff and they’re desperate and they showed that. I want to compliment them; (Lions head coach) Mziwakhe Nkosi is a very good friend and coach.

"They gave us the perfect prep for a semi-final because I don’t think it can be tougher than being 14-0 down against a very desperate team that’s fighting to stay alive in the competition.

"It’s probably the best practice – I say that respectfully – that we could have had for a semi-final."

Mongalo said their half-time message hit a positive tone after they found a way to stay in the game despite not finding their rhythm until the last 12 minutes of the half, wherein hooker Fezokuhle Mbatha and Aphelele Fassi scored to draw them level.

"The message was