The Sharks are poised to adopt a more conservative style and are sweating on the fitness of two key players heading into Saturday's Super 14 rugby semi-final against the Waratahs.

Coach Dick Muir rated prop BJ Botha and gifted utility back Francois Steyn at just over 50 per cent fit four days out from the match at Sydney Football Stadium.

The Sharks head into that match buoyed by big wins over the Cheetahs and Chiefs, scoring a total of 12 tries in those games.

Muir admitted he was responsible for the side playing too conservatively earlier in the year.

"We were really conservative and we didn't really have a got and that's not what we are about, we are a side that likes throwing it around and likes to play an expansive game in the last few weeks and it's really worked for us," Sharks skipper Johann Muller said.

With bonus point wins essential in the final two rounds, the Sharks cast off their cloak of conservatism and torched their opponents with some razzle dazzle rugby.

"Our last two games have been must win five pointers, it seems this side just plays better under pressure," Johann Muller said.

"We'll probably have a bit more of a conservative outlook to the game (on Saturday), but when it's on, we're definitely going to have a go," Muller said.

The Springboks lock was philosophical about playing in Sydney after the Sharks clinched their semi-final spot in the very last round robin match of the competition.

"I think we were really lucky, playing the last game of the weekend. Two hours before we played, we knew exactly what we had to do to get into the semi-finals, I think that's a huge bonus for any side," Muller said.

"A 14 hour flight over here and the time change is not easy, but you could just see the excitement today at training once again.

"We've got a second bite of the cherry. Two weeks ago everybody said we were out of it and we're not going to make it and then two five point wins got us in to the semi-final so the guys are really excited and the buzz at training was unbelievable."

Muir, who will leave the Sharks to become assistant Springboks coach after the Super 14, said he was amazed by the mid season announcement by the NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) that his Waratahs counterpart Ewen McKenzie would not be retained for next season.

He pointed out it was just a few months ago McKenzie was being considered for the Wallabies head coaching position.

NSWRU officials reported around 24,000 tickets for Saturday's game had been snapped up by mid afternoon.

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