The Blues' ability to halt the Sharks' impressive mauling is a key area if they want to come up trumps in their must-win rugby Super 14 clash in Durban on Sunday (NZT), coach Pat Lam says.
With the Blues in seventh position, five points behind the fourth-placed Reds, they must win each of their remaining four matches to keep their semifinal aspirations alive.
"There's a real gritty determination to do well on the weekend, and we know our preparation for this is crucial. The boxes have been ticked off on what we need to do ... it's do or die now," Lam said.
Focusing on Sunday's match in Durban, Lam said the Sharks' mauling system was "very similar" to that used by the Springboks.
"They're probably getting the most yardage out of their maul. I thought it would be the Stormers, but when you do the review and you look at the Sharks, they've got some big mileage going forward.
"That's a big challenge for us to make sure we get that right."
Lam said the Blues' had had mixed results in recent games in trying to nullify the South African mauling expertise.
"We did it well against the Bulls; a couple of guys didn't quite get it against the Stormers. It's an area we do need to stop because they do like to drive."
Lam said the Sharks would be "going for broke", and still believed they would be a chance for the semis if they picked up a bonus point this weekend.
"They're talking it up as test match intensity as well, we realise that, so it's going to be a great challenge for us.
"This is the closest thing for those who haven't been an All Black to play a test match away from home."
Lam's line-up for Saturday's game features just two changes, flanker Serge Lilo named in place of Tom Chamberlain while Peter Saili replaces Viliami Ma'afu at No 8.
After nine games on end, Lilo had earned a rest against the Force last week, Lam said, and would attack Sunday's game against the Sharks with fresh legs. Ma'afu had been outstanding recently, but had picked up a few niggles over the last couple of weeks and would benefit from coming off the bench.
Lam has opted for an unchanged backline, continuing with Benson Stanley at centre and again injecting the dangerous Rene Ranger later in the game.
"Rene's a project in his first year at centre, and he's doing extremely well," Lam said, adding that Ranger had come on after 55 minutes against the Force with telling effect.
"Particularly in contact, he was real tough on the ball... He'll probably get a bit more game time this week and continue to build on his game."
Lam said the Sharks had pinpointed the Blues' running as a real danger.
"They'll be trying to disrupt our flow. There's a lot of talk in the media over here about stopping our attack, they're concerned about the danger we do pose if we're allowed to play.
"The battle is up front, we've got to get some quality ball for our backs."
