If there was a game that represented and manifested everything that is bad about SA rugby, it was Friday's Super Rugby Unlocked clash between the Sharks and the Cheetahs.
Don't be fooled by the close score (19-13); this was far from an exciting fixture. It was a turgid match that the Sharks deserved to win, but left more questions than answers.
The Cheetahs, playing in their first game in three weeks since beating the Bulls, showed ring rust but had flashes of brilliance going forward.
If their decision-making didn't let them down, it was the final pass.
They had opportunities to put players away, but punishing the Sharks for their defensive profligacy proved beyond them.
A lot was said about how the humid conditions affected the game, but it can no longer be an excuse for teams playing poorly in Durban.
It is a unique experience playing rugby in Durban in November.
It looks like it will be the case going forward with changes to the calendar.
There are ways in which teams can prepare, especially with how international teams prepared for last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
It was played at the height of the Japanese summer and the preparation and adjustments made for the conditions were there for everyone to see.
Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch showed how such matches could and should be managed in Durban.
That he needs a pack with more grunt can't be understated, but his match management in those conditions was impeccable.
Questions about his defensive capabilities linger but at some point coaches will have to overlook that and focus on his immense attacking and tactical kicking capabilities.
His 14 points that included a monster penalty sank the Cheetahs.
He's a match-winner. Sharks coach Sean Everitt knows that and tries his best to cultivate that belief in him.
Whether the Springbok coaching think-tank is on the same wavelength remains to be seen, but Bosch's evolution can't be ignored.
His kick-pass that set up Madosh Tambwe's try was regulation, but also displayed the Sharks' investment in their back three players and how they will soon become the cornerstone of the team.
Tambwe will play second fiddle again once the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and S'bu Nkosi are fit and running, but his interventions were critical to the outcome of the game.
The Sharks have a lot to work with, but how they contributed to Friday's unpalatable fare is unacceptable considering the exciting talent at their disposal.
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