SA scene: They may be unbeaten like the Crusaders but the Sharks have admitted they are a long way off the standards being set by the red and blacks in this year's Super 14.

The Sharks, beaten finalists last year, aren't using the heavy rain as an excuse for their stuttering 16-8 win over the Lions in Johannesburg in round five.

"The world's best sides adapt to whatever conditions they're presented with. The Crusaders played in similar conditions against the Brumbies in round one and wiped them by 30 points," Sharks captain Johann Muller told top South Africa website keo.co.za.

"So to point to the conditions as a reason for the quality of rugby we played is nonsense. We were poor, there's no use in saying we took lessons from the game or anything like that. We played some schoolboy stuff. It's counterproductive lying to ourselves - we're still a long way off the Crusaders.

"We have high expectations of ourselves and that sort of showing isn't even close to what we know we're capable of. We're stuck in second gear at the moment.

"The one characteristic of championship-winning sides is that they're able to grind out a win even when they play badly. I suppose that's the one encouraging thing about the Lions match. But we want to be more ruthless in future. It's crucial that we start putting sides away the same way the Crusaders do."

The Crusaders, who lead the Sharks by three points at the top of the table, have a chance to extend that when they host the Waratahs on Friday night while the South Africans sit out a bye this weekend.

The Crusaders and Sharks don't meet until week 12 of the championship in Christchurch on May 2.

SHARKS COACH IN TROUBLED WATERS

Sanzar officials are waiting on several written reports before deciding if action should be taken against Sharks coach Dick Muir for an alleged outburst against match manager and official timekeeper Gabriel Pappas during last weekend's win over the Lions.

Pappas refused to allow Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis to return to the field after he ruled the player had spent more than 15 minutes in the blood bin getting a cut attended to.

Muir is alleged to have let Pappas know his feelings in no uncertain terms.

Pappas has filed his version of accounts and Sanzar want to hear from the Sharks management and other match officials.

If Muir is found guilty he could face a heavy fine. Last year Reds coach Eddie Jones was fined $10,000 for heavily criticising referee Matt Goddard.

Stormers flanker Schalk Burger copped a two-match ban this year for bad sportsmanship after he let his emotions flow at a touch judge after being yellow-carded against the Sharks.

STORMERS WARY OF BLUES' ATTACK

The Stormers say they are working extra hard on their defensive systems this week ahead of their clash with the dangerous Blues at Eden Park on Saturday evening.

The Stormers managed to hold off a late fightback from the Chiefs to notch their second consecutive win on the road and believe the Blues will test them even further as they seek a rare hat-trick of victories in Australiasia.

"We've done well defensively especially on first phase and I'm happy with the fact that as a team we've only conceded seven tries," said Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers.

"Defence is going to be so important against the Blues so it's certainly an area we're focusing on in our preparation."

Like the Blues themselves, the Stormers are eagerly awaiting to see how Nick Evans comes through the week after being mildly concussed in the Blues' loss to the Western Force last Saturday.

"He's a quality player and it's a huge loss," said de Villiers.

"The Blues are fortunate enough to have a number of backs who can play anywhere, but I'm sure they'll miss him. At this stage we don't know if he's definitely out, so we can't be making any big plans to attack his replacement's channel."