Following their disappointing 18-13 defeat to the Bulls last weekend, Sharks coach John Plumtree believes the problems have been address so that the same mistake isn't made twice.

The Sharks struggled against a physical Bulls performance in Pretoria, but were able to snag a losing bonus point thanks to a late try from Jacques Botes.

"We've addressed the issues from the Bulls game, we knew we got caught behind the advantage line and at times our ball-carrying into contact was a bit high too, so there were a few little things we've talked about," Plumtree told the media.

"They were probably a little bit more aggressive at the counter ruck, from a physicality point of view, they got one up on us and we can't afford for that to happen, we pride ourselves on our physicality and on the weekend it just wasn't right on the mark, we have got to make sure we improve in that area.

"Last week our line-out failed, and that was a big part of our problem. We lost five attacking line-outs so we couldn't get our game going, and you can't afford that."

The Sharks boss has targeted the breakdown as an area of particular importance in this week's match against the Stormers in Cape Town.

"Winning the battle of the breakdown is really important, our support play to the ball-carrier is obviously very important and something we've put a big focus on this week," he explained.

"If we let the Stormers loosies into the game, we will be late to the breakdown, so it's just really important that everyone works hard. We need to tidy up a bit, we know how we can play, we want to play a lot of phases, we want to keep the ball in hand, but first of all, we need to win ball."

However, the Stormers will be without last season's star loose forwards Schalk Burger (injured) and Francois Louw (playing for Bath), but Plumtree isn't underestimating the back row.

"Schalk is a world class player, but I've been really impressed with Siya Kolisi - I thought he had an outstanding Currie Cup and he's a real find for the future," he said

"I've always admired Nick Koster, he's a good player, and Duane Vermeulen adds a different dynamic to that loose trio with his physicality. They're a very good back row unit, they're fast, they've got skill, they're aggressive. They've got two excellent ball winning locks and their scrums have been going well, so I think that Stormers side is looking pretty much the same as last year, with or without one or two players."

The Sharks could receive a boost in the forwards with the immanent return of the battering ram Willem Alberts.

"Willem's been training with us this week and taken some contact but we'll only make a decision on him on Thursday once he's finished a big working week," Plumtree confirmed.

"Ryan Kankowski is having another scan on his thumb today [Tuesday], he took an early knock against the Bulls which affected him quite badly, so we will only know later, so there's definitely a question mark around our loose forwards this week."

The man with a question mark over his name is experienced wing Odwa Ndungane.

"Ndungane ran with us on Monday, but again we will only make a late call on him as well. There will be a few potential brackets on Thursday," Plumtree added.