Cape Town - After a winning start to their Currie Cup campaign, the Sharks are in a confident mood ahead of their away clash with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this weekend. 

READ: Kotze preaches patience to Bulls youngsters

The Cheetahs, however, will be a tough nut to crack, especially at home and after two losses in a row will be looking to hit back with their first win of the tournament. 

Sharks lock Tyler Paul was happy with the strong start to the season by the coastal team according to the Sharks official website. 

“It is a short Currie Cup and we know we can’t afford to lose any of our home games, but it was a good start for us, even if it wasn’t perfect. A few things didn’t go our way, but we can’t ask for more than five log points out of our first game of the tournament.”

Paul played an important part for the franchise during Super Rugby and now finds himself as one of the more experience players in a youthful Sharks setup.

The 23-year old lock is aiming for big performances each weekend. 

“As soon as you think you own the jersey, someone else could take it away from you. So that’s not a good philosophy and therefore my goal in the Currie Cup is to perform week in and week out, that’s the most important thing and never to settle.

“I just want to perform well every week without looking too far ahead at next year’s Super Rugby competition. Right now the focus is on the Currie Cup.”

Looking back on the performance against the Blue Bulls pack, he admits that is was a very satisfying effort by his fellow forwards but stressed the importance of reaching the same level against the Cheetahs. 

“It was enjoyable to give the Bulls a bit of their own medicine.”

“We’re playing away from home and Bloemfontein is never an easy place to win, so we know what we’re up against. We’ve been speaking through the week about regardless of the team they put out, we still have to prepare the same way. If they field a weaker side we will still prepare as we do every week, the best we can,” Paul said.