But ultimately it was the hosts with a narrow 20-17 win who got some valuable points in the URC campaign. The Hendrikse brothers got things underway for the Sharks within the first ten minutes, scoring 13 points between them. 

But the Bulls responded quickly with Cobus Wiese and Harold Vorster both scoring off lineout movements and Johan Goosen converting both tries, to give the visitors a 14-10 lead at halftime.

The second half was marred by a controversial penalty try for the Sharks and a yellow card for the Bulls’ Sebastian de Klerk, who illegally knocked the ball over the deadball line. 

‘Sharks now have four successive URC victories’

Jordan Hendrikse added another three points with the boot. The Bulls were also awarded a penalty in the dying minutes but opted for a line-out, which they couldn’t convert into points. The Sharks now have four successive URC victories, their fifth of the season and first against the Bulls in almost two years.

The Bulls will go into a break until early January, while the Sharks will travel to Cape Town to take on the Stormers next weekend.

After eight rounds, Leinster is top of the URC log with 38 points, followed by the Glasgow Warriors on 27.  The Bulls are still in third place with 25 points, while the Sharks are fourth with 23 points. The Lions are in seventh place with 19 points and the Stormers are in 13th place with 16 points.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg