Ospreys are the first of the four Welsh regions to enter the last chance saloon when they kick-off their South African safari with a clash with the Sharks in Durban on Friday night (9 May).
Head coach Mark Jones is the first to admit that it is going to take two wins, against the Sharks on Friday night and then against the Lions in Johannesburg, to keep alive his side’s hopes of reaching the play-offs for the second season in a row.
Jones’ side currently find themselves three points off the top eight in 11th with two games to go. The Sharks are bidding for a home quarter final in fourth and have won three of their last four games. They pipped both Edinburgh and Ulster on the road in their last two outings.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree has largely stuck with the team that defeated Ulster 22-19 in Belfast two weeks ago. He has made three changes, one enforced, as Dian Bleuler comes in at prop for Ox Nche, who is ill, Siya Masuku replaces Jordan Hendrikse at No 10 and Jurenzo Julius takes over from Lukhanyo Am at outside centre.
The Sharks need just three points from their final two games against Ospreys and Scarlets to guarantee a home quarter final. Their side will be led by Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth and also contains World Cup winners in Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi.
“We have given ourselves a chance to qualify, but it is a difficult task. We know we probably need two wins to make it, and we recognise the challenge that is in front of us,” said Jones.
“We have prepared well, and we are simply focusing on ourselves. South Africa is a great place to tour, and we are all excited at the prospect of playing the Sharks in Durban and the Lions in Johannesburg.
“They will probably both be five –point games because to win them we’ll need to score four tries. That’s what happens when you play against the best teams, and we want to put our best performance out on the pitch.”
Justin Tipuric hasn’t been able to travel with the squad but could be available should his teammates do the business without him and qualify for the knock-out phase.
“The fact there could be a final game for Tips to play in if we qualify for the quarter finals will be in the back of the minds of the players. It would be fantastic to give him a final few outings in an Ospreys shirt before he transitions fully into coaching next season,” added Jones.
“There have been lots of occasions this season when we have had to dig deep and we just want to give it our best shot and see where that takes us.”