Sharks coach John Plumtree says that they will treat this week as a Test match as they face Super Rugby's leaders the Chiefs in Durban.

The Sharks returned from their Australasian tour with 11 points and Plumtree's overall assessment of the tour is one perhaps more of relief that they ended the tour with a victory.

"It was disappointing that we didn't get three wins," Plumtree said on the Sharks website.

"But, by the same token, we were under a lot of pressure to get a result in Auckland. "

"There was also so much pressure on the Blues as well, the coach and team are taking a lot of heat. "

"Especially after they lost to the Rebels, which was like our game the week before against the Hurricanes who were coming off a loss to the Cheetahs. So it was a really good test for us because we knew they'd come out firing. "

"And we managed to get a bonus point as well - which was great."

Reflecting back on the tour Plumtree said, "We had a few problems, Bismarck getting injured, Pat missing two weeks. "

"So 11 points on a tour that wasn't easy, by any means, means we're still in the hunt and one of only three sides who haven't had our bye yet."

On the injury front Plumtree said that Ryan Kankowski might get time with The Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup this week while "Beast is looking really good too, he should be right in a couple of weeks."

Bismarck du Plessis didn't train on Monday, "he had platelet injections in his thigh, he also has a bit of a sore nerve in his neck, so he's got a bit of wear and tear but we're hoping he'll be able to train on Thursday," coach John Plumtree explained.

Marcell Coetzee also had a platelet injection in his shoulder, he has an AC joint complaint which fortunately isn't serious enough to warrant surgery, but a decision will be made on him later in the week.

This week's match against the Chiefs marks the half way point for the Sharks and in the second half of the season they play six of their eight pool games at home and earn eight log points for two byes.

But before they even think of a break, they have a massive game, what Plumtree said was, "A Test match week for us."