Despite losing their fourth consecutive final in three years in the Currie Cup final on Saturday the Sharks believe they have the ingredients to become a truly great team in the next couple of seasons.

Just like coach Rudolf Straeuli on Saturday night refuted suggestions that the Sharks are "chokers", so did captain John Smit on Sunday. Smit, who led the team in the absence of the injured Mark Andrews, saw his team relinquishing a 17-9 halftime lead to lose a second consecutive Currie Cup final against Province.

"There is no mental block in this team when it comes to the big matches," he says. "It is a case of where we are in our development as a team. In last year's final we were babies, and were always going to struggle to beat a very experienced Province team. I would say we are now at the 'toddler' stage and as each season goes by we are going to grow up into a very formidable side.

"I know in defeat you look for crumbs of comfort, but I honestly believe that this side is still a long way from hitting its peak. We feel absolutely awful now, but we also know that we are going to get better, we are going to make a lot more finals, and we are going to start winning them."

Straeuli said he would welcome it if the Sharks are being labelled chokers. "Then we will just wait for you guys in the first Super 12 match next year," he said with a glint in the eye. Asked about the reason for the subdued performance in the second half, Straeuli admitted that it has been a concern to the Sharks management team before.

"We had a look at the heart rate monitors earlier this year and came to the conclusion that it is not a physical thing, but rather psychological," he said.

Andrews has faith in the talent in the Sharks squad and is convinced that the best is yet to come. "If you look at all the good teams in history, they only start coming of age in the third year that the nucleus of the team has been together. Natal have been together for two seasons now.

"On Saturday, 10 of the Province players had been together for at least four years. That is how champion teams are made. The big challenge now for the Sharks is to ensure our squad is kept together."