Sharks captain Louis Schreuder says his side has not written the Golden Lions off ahead of their Currie Cup semi-final clash in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks beat the Lions by a comfortable 16-point margin earlier in the season at the same venue.

However, with the Lions welcoming Springboks in Elton Jantjies, Warren Whiteley and Aphiwe Dyantyi back, Schreuder says it will be a completely different match this weekend.

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‘I don’t think they are written off at all,’ the scrumhalf said. ‘The Lions are a dangerous team. They have played the most finals of all the [South African] franchises in the past few years.

‘They have done it in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup.  They know how to get there and they will make a few changes as well.

‘It is going to be a massive semi for us. We are not nearly in the final.

‘What is in the past is in the past. We have played them four times already. We know what they can do. We have to stick to our strengths and keep doing what we are doing.’

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The 28-year-old added that there has been a good atmosphere around the Sharks during the week as they look to go a step further than last season and claim the title.

‘You can sense something in the air. There is an awesome vibe going. There was a nice energy going when I walked in this morning.

‘Obviously, there will be a bit of tension as well because it is a big game. But as long as everyone is confident and excited for the weekend, I think it is a good space.

‘All the players love to play Currie Cup and it is one of the toughest competitions. The team with the toughest mentality will pull it through.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images