The Sharks finished the regular season third on the table after winning 13 of their 18 fixtures, a stark contrast to the previous season where they finished 18th after winning just four matches.
Etzebeth says his team's ability to overturn their fortunes in closely fought games will serve them well in Durban this weekend.
"We've seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we've done a bit of this year," Etzebeth said.
"Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we've turned things around and won them.
"We're used to those kinds of games, hopefully we don't make it that tight on Saturday."
John Plumtree has brought back his big-gun Springboks for this weekend's play-off, including World Cup winners Siya Kolisi and Lukhanyo Am, but lock forward Etzebeth says the younger players and wider squad have been just as crucial to the Sharks' campaign this term and will continue to play their part.
"A lot of guys got exposure this season, we've seen Ethan Hooker who has been amazing this season, the front row off the bench have really grown and put in great performances in the last few weeks," he said.
"So there are some young guys getting more and more game time and it feels that the more opportunities they’re given, the more confident they get and the better they play."
Andre Esterhuizen, who partners Am in the midfield for the Sharks, says while his side will have momentum from their
"We have a lot of confidence going into this game with four good wins in a row," Esterhuizen said.
"We have not played our best rugby, but it feels good that we know we can grind out wins if needed.
"We never want to grind games out, we want to win them comfortably like we know we can.
"We are getting better week by week, so hopefully we can hit our straps against Munster - but if it means we have to grind out a win, that's what we will do.
"We feel we are building something on attack and that we’re improving. We just need to accelerate into the next gear; we are close and we’re confident because every week we win while knowing we can be better."
Quarter-final line-up
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am*, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 5 Jason Jenkins, 6 James Venter, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Siya Kolisi (v/c).
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.