Sharks coach John Plumtree insists that his side is well poised on the Currie Cup log despite lacking some cutting edge and dropping points in several of their lesser matches this season.

The defending champions laboured to a 23-3 win over basement boys Platinum Leopards over the weekend, while their other matches against the 'smaller' unions of the Pumas and Griquas ended in a narrow 23-22 victory and a 43-22 loss in Kimberley, respectively.

They face the Golden Lions in a top-of-the-table clash in Johannesburg on Saturday and Plumtree is feeling confident ahead of the clash with the team coached by his Kiwi rival John Mitchell.

"We're right up there, we're second on the log, we're one point behind the Lions and at the end of round one which is not that bad," said Plumtree.

"If we can turn the Lions over then it will be a big finish to the first round. We left a point behind but ultimately we won the game and that's what it's all about.

"We've moved on from that, we're not too worried about it. I think the Leopards also need to be credited because they defended very well, probably their best defensive effort all year," he added.

The Durbanites had almost their entire first team training on Tuesday while Stefan Terblanche was given the day off due to the birth of his child.

Also present were Springbok World Cup hopefuls Jean Deysel, Lwazi Mvovo and Charl McLeod.

Plumtree confirming their availability for the weekend trip to the Highveld, a strong indication they will not be in Peter de Villiers' 30-man squad to be named later on Tuesday.

The Sharks boss was happy to have them all on board, saying it will now make planning easier as they map out the rest of the season.

SAPA