The Sharks have been consistently off their best and whatever remains of their A-game will be demanded of them when the Bulls come to town on Saturday. It is the Sharks' last home game before a treacherous four-match overseas trip during which they will face the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Reds.They have lost five matches - four of them to South African opponents - and their chances of winning the South African conference have diminished. A loss to the Bulls will surely see them relinquish last year's hard-earned title.Despite dropping a home game against the Stormers last year, the Sharks were not very charitable at home and, with five conference wins, they ensured they stitched up their pool on the home front.This season they have managed only two against the Lions and the Cheetahs, whom they have played twice already and they have two more derbies remaining (the other being against the Stormers).On current form the Sharks are not backed to beat the Stormers or the Bulls.The lack of four-try bonus points and blow-outs has ensured the South African conference will be closely contested, and this will reflect in the general lack of participants in the play-off stage.Current conference leaders the Bulls have collected 24 points but the Highlanders, with 24, are third on the New Zealand conference.The Hurricanes and Chiefs have 31 and 28 points, giving the top six a distinctly New Zealand taste, while the resurgent Crusaders are only a win away from getting into the play-off bracket.Indeed, New Zealand sides have collected a total of 112 points so far in the tournament, followed by South African teams on 100 points, and the Australians with 73.Then there is the overseas tour and how it can go pear-shaped for the Sharks and the Bulls as their fixtures could have ramifications for their final log positions.The Bulls' form on the road in Super rugby in the past three years has not inspired much confidence, with seven wins from 21 matches.That includes last year's blanking, when they could not string together a win away from Loftus, where they did not drop a game.While they had evident tactical hot flushes against the Lions and the Stormers, the Bulls have been a menacing team when on form.As a modicum of solace for their underwhelming year so far, the Sharks have not lost more than two consecutive matches.But their inability to construct a consistent winning streak has not made their lives easier.It has been a small boom but big bust season for the Sharks, and their season could flat-line before the team can even "enjoy" their overseas tour...