Munster a must-win: Dysfunctional season down to World Cup year at chock-a-Bok Sharks, says Coetzee

Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said the dysfunctionality that comes with a World Cup year has had an impact on the Durban team's inconsistent 2022/23 season.

The Sharks have qualified for the United Rugby Championship quarterfinals, with Saturday's home clash against Munster set to determine where they will play their last eight playoff.

Either way, they will still have to travel.

Even if the Bulls and Connacht lose their final-round games to Leinster and the Glasgow Warriors respectively, and the Sharks win their final home game of the season with a bonus point, they can finish as high as sixth, which precludes them from playoffs at home.

With the player riches at their disposal, although Saturday's game will be Siya Kolisi and Thomas du Toit's last at Kings Park, the Sharks have often flattered to deceive.

READ | Kolisi's short Sharks stay over, but incredible memories remain

They also had a mid-season coaching change when Sean Everitt left his post at the end of November after some indifferent results.

Coetzee said the large number of Boks in their setup meant they weren't always able to pick their strongest squad because they have to put the men's national team first.

"In rugby, as you do in life, you control what you can control," Coetzee told News24.

"This season was dysfunctional because of the World Cup year and the amount of Boks that we have.

"We were massively disrupted by national call-ups, and we knew that from the start. From a depth point of view, our other players did well.

"We're at a point now where we've qualified for the quarterfinals, and we'd love for things to go our way and play in the Champions Cup.

"The way that Europe is structured is that you'll play in Europe, even if you're not in the Champions Cup.

"I know